A Saskatoon man has been sentenced following a 2023 theft incident involving the removal of a purse containing valuables and a substantial cash sum from a food truck. Thomas Lee Moser, 42, pleaded guilty to theft over $5,000 via telephone on October 22, accepting responsibility for his actions on August 25, 2023, when a purse was taken from an unattended food truck window.
The purse, valued well over $10,000, contained credit and debit cards, personal identification, $10,000 in cash, and three rings valued at an additional $10,000. Surveillance footage captured Moser reaching through the driver’s side window of the truck to remove the purse. Following the theft, Saskatoon Police Service executed a search warrant on September 14, locating some of the purse’s contents at the shared residence of Moser and Amanda Willis. Recovered items included the purse, keys, bank cards, and one of the three rings; however, the cash was never retrieved. According to one witness, the stolen money may have been used to purchase drugs.
During police interviews on September 15, Willis stated that Moser was responsible for the theft. Moser’s criminal history, which includes charges from 2014-2019 for mischief and several failures to comply with conditions, was considered in the sentencing. Both the Crown and defence agreed upon a joint submission, recommending a six-month conditional sentence order (CSO) followed by six months of probation. Moser’s conditions include abstaining from alcohol and drugs, avoiding bars, attending counselling, and completing 60 hours of community service. His co-accused, Willis, received a custodial sentence and probation, while charges against a third individual were stayed.
In court, Moser expressed remorse, apologizing for his actions and acknowledging his readiness to take accountability. Judge Bower accepted the joint submission and found Moser guilty. A $200 victim surcharge was waived due to Moser’s significant mental health and addiction issues, which have left him on disability since 2014.