Abduction case adjourned

By Delon Shurtz on March 6, 2021.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

The case against a 21-year-old Lethbridge man charged in connection with an attempted abduction in the city last year has been adjourned again while defence reviews new disclosure from the Crown’s office.
Calgary lawyer Robin McIntyre, who appeared in Lethbridge provincial court Thursday as an agent for the accused’s lawyer, said defence needs more time to review the new disclosure with Heinrich Van Daniel Blanco, who is charged with one count of attempted abduction of a person under the age of 14 years old.
The matter, which has already been adjourned several times while defence waits for disclosure, is scheduled to return to court next week.
During an earlier court hearing, Calgary lawyer Jeanine Zahara referred to some of the challenges facing her client, and advised court she still needed more disclosure on the case, particularly information about several 911 calls to the police. 
The Crown had also suggested more time was needed to discuss a possible resolution of the charges.
At about noon on Aug. 31, 2020 police responded to an attempted abduction in the 100 block of Mic Mac Boulevard and Red Crow Boulevard West.
Police reported the driver of a silver car pulled up to a 13-year-old boy and offered to give him a ride to the store to buy candy.
The boy refused and the vehicle drove away.
Police investigators identified the vehicle and prepared a composite drawing of the subject, which, coupled with tips from the public, led to the identity of a suspect.
Blanco was granted bail following his arrest but ordered to adhere to several release conditions.
He also faces a charge of dangerous driving.

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