Prolific offender steals boy’s iPad then goes to jail

KELOWNA – It’s jail time for a heartless thief whose crime tugged at the heart-strings of many people.

It happened in February at a Kelowna bowling alley.

A 12-year-old boy momentarily left his iPad to go talk to his parents.

That’s when a man described by RCMP as a “prolific offender” grabbed the device and walked away.

Police recognized the suspect after viewing surveillance camera images and made the arrest.

Trent Allan Swampy pleaded guilty to theft under $5000 and was sentenced to 40 days in jail.

Swampy sold the iPad to another prolific offender but police were able to track it down and return it to the boy.