Webber later told NanaimoNewsNOW cutting the power appeared to be a ploy using the shield of darkness to help the pair steal items from vehicles.

The strategy failed as a Gulfview Dr. resident went outside to investigate the sudden widespread outage and phone police.

Goldsbury was arrested soon after while he was leaving the area.

Webber said drug addiction was the motivation behind the crimes.

Goldsbury was convicted of mischief under $5,000 and handed one year probation, which includes substance abuse treatment.

His punishment included paying $2,000 restitution to the City of Nanaimo for the damaged street light.

The power dismantling was not the only incident Goldsbury answered to during his court appearance.

He was also convicted of stealing $180 worth of meat and razors from a local grocery store several months after being arrested.

His associate Connors pleaded guilty to a theft charge in relation to a stolen GPS unit from a Gulfview Dr. vehicle.

In a separate incident, Connors pleaded guilty to obstructing an Oceanside Mountie during her arrest in Coombs in November, 2018.

Judge R.D. Miller ordered a pre-sentence report for Connors, who will be sentenced at a later date.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes