Dog-walking tree thief pleads guilty to 'extremely stupid' crime

Calgary's most notorious tree thief pleaded guilty on Wednesday, admitting to stealing twoJapanese maples worth $1,000.

Ryan Duguay and his reluctant accomplice, Lucy the Jack Russell terrier, were caught on CCTV outside the Royal Brasserie last week,taking the two trees from planters outside the restaurant.

Provincial Court Judge Harry Van Harten threw Duguay a bone and released the 31-year-old, agreeing with defence counsel that time served was a sufficient sentence.

Duguay's crime was a "really profoundly juvenile theft," said prosecutor Meagan Blake.

• Japanese maple trees taken by dog-walking thief returned as police make arrest

The video of the Aug. 8 theft was posted to social media last week to Inspector Gadget music and quickly went viral, prompting an anonymous tip that led officers to ahome in Calgary's Lower Mount Royal neighbourhoodon Thursday.

Police allege there was a"heavy odour of pot" coming from thehome and that theyfound 11 grams of marijuana inside, as well as two JapaneseMaple trees.

"It was a huge mistake," said defence lawyer RebeccaSnukal. "It was extremely stupidhe's otherwise been making efforts to be a law-abiding citizen."

Despite the rather minor nature of the offence, the video which features Lucy trying to pull Duguay away from the crime scene was picked up by local news outlets.

"For some strange reason this case has attracted ... three days of media attention," said Snukal.

Having noticed reporters in the gallery, the judge responded to her comment.

"My guess is he's going to be in the media four days instead of three," replied Van Harten.

Dugay also faces drug-related charges in Winnipegwhich Snukal noted he would be addressing immediately upon his release after which, perhaps he'll be turning over a new leaf.

• MORE CRIME NEWS |Minivan driver 3.5 times over legal alcohol limit had kids in the back, police say
• MORE CRIME NEWS |Double stabbing suspect tells justice of the peace 'I didn't mean to'