Sarnia man jailed 7 months for swiping tip jar, bagels from hospital
A Sarnia man has been jailed seven months for breaking into the coffee shop at Bluewater Health and stealing cash from a tip jar and the register, a tablet, and three or four bagels.
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A Sarnia man has been jailed seven months for breaking into the coffee shop at Bluewater Health and stealing cash from a tip jar and the register, a tablet, and some bagels.
Edmond Mullen, 43, was seen on video during the Jan. 11 incident that did some damage at the hospital’s Mo’Cha Cafe and Bubble Tea.
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While sentencing Mullen for that, for stealing candy from a drug store and for trying to cash a stolen forged cheque at a money lender, Justice Krista Lynn Leszczynski told him he has a very concerning criminal record with similar convictions over the last two years.
“What it says to the court is: You’re not getting the message. You’re not learning from your mistakes. And the sentences you are receiving are not doing what they’re intended,” she said.
Another Sarnia judge reluctantly sentenced Mullen twice last year to less jail time than he felt was appropriate.
In May 2024, Justice Mark Poland handed Mullen – then sharing a jail cell with his own son – 90 days for multiple crimes, including stealing a woman’s mobility scooter. Then in December, Poland gave Mullen less than four months for a series of crimes, including a downtown Sarnia condo break-in.
In both cases, Poland’s hands were all but legally tied based on a Supreme Court of Canada decision because the Crown and defence suggested the same sentence. But he cautioned Mullen that was his last break.
“Mr. Mullen, if you commit another residential break-and-enter and you come back in front of me and a sentence like that’s proposed, I’m going to reject it,” he said firmly. “I will reject it 100 per cent, I’ll tell you that right now, and you will be going to jail for a long time.”
Mullen’s latest sentence was also for trying to cash a nearly $900 cheque stolen from Sole Decisions in Sarnia at a local Money Mart and for stealing $25 in candy from the Mitton Street South Shoppers Drug Mart. The drug store manager, who saw him hide the snacks in his jacket, asked him if he was going to pay for that as he left the store.
He said, ‘No,’ and left.
Mullen was previously sentenced three times in 2015: 15 days each for attempted theft from a coin box in a laundromat and theft from a shoe retailer; and 14 months for robbing a convenience store and breaking into a home and stealing a TV.
Defence lawyer Terry Brandon said her client has been homeless for a long time and is addicted to opioids. But she said sharing a cell with his son last year has made him realize his actions affect others.
Mullen told Leszczynski he’s done with criminal activity and he’s realized it’s time to grow up.
“Words are one thing and actions are another,” the judge responded.
She added a probation order banning Mullen from Sole Decisions, that Shoppers Drug Mart location, and Bluewater Health unless he has an appointment, a medical emergency or is getting detox or addiction services.
“Otherwise stay away from all of those locations, including the hospital,” she said.
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