A Vancouver man with 55 B.C. theft convictions since 2010 has been charged in reference to the high-profile heist of late IndyCar driver Greg Moore’s racing helmet earlier this yr.
Nelson Earl Nepinak, 39, is accused of theft over $5,000 and possessing stolen property over $5,000 within the Sept. 3 theft from the BC Sports activities Corridor of Fame at BC Place.
The stolen helmet was worn by Moore throughout his 1998 victory on the Rio 400 in Brazil, and had been on everlasting mortgage to the museum by his household as a part of an exhibit documenting the profession of the late IndyCar driver.
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Moore was 24 when he died in a crash in the course of the ultimate race of the CART season at California Speedway on Oct. 31, 1999.
Vancouver Police mentioned property crime investigators recognized the suspect by way of safety video and tracked the stolen helmet to a residential constructing on Dunlevy Avenue within the Downtown Eastside.
The recovered helmet, in response to the BC Sports activities Corridor of Fame, is taken into account some of the iconic gadgets in its motorsport assortment, and has been returned to the museum.
Nepinak was arrested on Sept. 12 and launched on an enterprise to seem in courtroom on Nov. 19.
His prison historical past dates again to 2008 in Yorkton, Sask., the place he was convicted of mischief, break and enter and failing to seem on a recognizance or enterprise.
Nepinak’s 90 B.C. convictions embrace assault, assault with a weapon, breach of probation, break and enter, mischief, possessing stolen property, possessing a weapon for a harmful function, theft and uttering threats.
Nepinak can be charged with assault with a weapon and possessing a weapon for a harmful function in reference to an alleged incident on Aug. 4 in Vancouver.
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