An addiction to crack cocaine helped to create a life of crime for a Port City man, according to a report in the Telegraph Journal. Donald Robert Walker was sentenced for a crime spree that spanned four police jurisdictions in eight months.

The majority of Walker’s 17 crimes were related to shoplifting. John Henheffer, Crown prosecutor in this case, claimed Walker would steal and sell the goods to gain money to feed his addiction to crack cocaine.

Walker was sentenced to federal prison by Judge Henrik Tonning after he pleased guilty to stealing six boxes of fireworks from the Lincoln Big Stop valued at $219.94. He was also charged with obstructing an investigation by providing false identification to police that day.

His crimes also included the theft of a PlayStation 3 gaming system from the Future Shop in Saint John on August 26 and for breaching a probation order by committing the crime. Five days later, he stole an Acer computer from a Wal-Mart in Saint John and again breached probation.

The list goes on and in most cases, Walker walked into the business, took what he wanted and left without any attempts to pay for the items. In most of these instances, the stolen items were never recovered.

Tonning referred to Walker’s approach to his crimes as “stupid” as he simply selected his items and left, knowing full well most establishments have surveillance videos. He referred to Walker’s actions as a sense of desperation.

"In order to feed that habit he goes around and steals," the Crown said. "Mr. Walker had to realize eventually this would catch up with him." He highlighted that the provincial jail system does not have the necessary programs in place to adequately treat addictions like Walker’s.