A Richmond man who stole a $7,000 Chanel purse and broke into a building that he was technically leasing was sentenced Monday to one year, to be served in the community.
Li Fu Alex Ni’s lawyer Jamie Butler explained that his client was in the throes of a crystal meth addiction when the crimes occurred, but that he is no longer using drugs and has made positive steps to move forward in his life.
Ni, who is now 29 years old, pleaded guilty to the two charges.
He stole the purse in June 2021 from Kimberlee Diamond and Loan, a Richmond pawn shop, while the cashier was distracted by another theft.
The purse is an authentic Chanel purse.
Ni’s theft was captured on video surveillance camera.
As for breaking into a business in July 2021, Ni had signed a lease on behalf of someone who claimed they didn’t have good credit, for which Ni was supposed to be compensated $1,000 a month.
After the first month, however, he didn’t receive any money and decided to go to the shop, the Wowmart in Richmond, and change the locks.
Two other people approached him and after not being able to change the locks, he took out a window glass pane. The two other unidentified suspects then stole five suitcases full of merchandise from the business.
It’s estimated the value of the merchandise was between $9,000 and $10,000.
After these crimes took place, Ni went into a drug recovery home for four months, and Butler noted he hasn’t had any relapses since then.
Ni was in a serious accident in 2016 after which he was prescribed morphine for the pain. His mother noted his behaviour changed after the accident, Butler explained.
Furthermore, in 2019 and 2020, he was introduced to “adventurous drug users,” after which he became a heavy crystal meth user, Butler added.
But after run-ins with the law, Ni “cried out for help,” Butler said, and with support from his parents, entered the recovery home.
The judge noted Ni has taken “great steps to improve himself.”
“I’m impressed with the steps you’ve taken to turn your life around,” Justice Derek Mah told him in Richmond Provincial Court.
Ni is currently working for his parents’ company, Rhine River Luxury Homes, and is also living with them.
Conditions for serving his time in the community include continuing to live with his parents, wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet and a curfew from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Ni will have to pay $5,000 to each to both businesses affected by his crimes.
