Sheldon James Johanson of Qualicum Beach was sentenced to 16 months in jail for a dangerous crime spree in Qualicum Beach earlier this year. (Facebook)

By Ian Holmes

jail sentence

Prolific offender jailed for ‘extremely dangerous’ Qualicum Beach crime spree

Dec 13, 2021 | 5:32 AM

NANAIMO — An erratic driver who rolled a stolen truck after entering oncoming Inland Island Hwy. traffic has been sentenced to 16 months behind bars.

Sheldon James Johanson, 32, pleaded guilty to three charges tied to incidents on March 14, 2021 in Qualicum Beach while he was in the grips of drug addiction.

Traveling the wrong-way and crashing on the highway was just the tip of the iceberg.

A loaded shotgun was found in the vehicle, while Johanson and an accomplice used a dirt bike from the back of the heavily damaged truck to flee the accident scene, only to crash again minutes later.

During a Friday, Dec. 10 sentencing hearing, provincial court judge Sheila Archer outlined the gravity of the disturbing facts.

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She said Johanson used a large stolen pick-up to travel north on Hwy 19 where the public safety risk amplified two kilometers north of the Horne Lake turnoff.

“Numerous drivers in the northbound and then the southbound lanes reported that they had to take immediate evasive actions, swerving to the right or left and even onto the shoulder of the highway to avoid being struck by the truck.”

Stolen from Royston two days earlier, the truck landed on its roof in the southbound lanes after crossing the grassy centre median.

Johanson’s dangerous driving and the carelessly stored and loaded shotgun were paramount concerns for Judge Archer.

“It put the public at great risk,” she said.

Johanson crawled out of the wrecked truck and declined help from bystanders, causing an alert Good Samaritan to take his picture, which turned out to be integral in identifying him.

Johanson and his female accomplice took off on the dirt bike, which crashed soon after and the duo managed to run off.

He was arrested a little over two months later.

Court was told Johanson was briefly jailed, then released on bail where he meaningfully addressed his addiction issues in a supportive housing environment.

A non custodial six month sentence will apply to Johanson upon release from jail, which includes the first three months to be served under strict house arrest.

The Crown requested 18 to 24 months in jail, while Johanson’s lawyer lobbied for a non-custodial sentence, arguing it would be more conducive to his ongoing rehabilitation.

He was attentive throughout his hearing and was supported in the court house by his brother.

Johanson’s lengthy criminal record dating back to 2008 for primarily property crimes are tied to deep-rooted addiction issues and a traumatic childhood, court was told.

A non custodial six month sentence will apply to Johanson upon release from jail, which includes the first three months under strict house arrest.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes