A man who was sentenced last year for using bear spray on staff at an Abbotsford grocery store has been convicted in another case.
Brian Michael Pullin, 31, who has a history of committing crimes in the Tri-Cities and neighbouring communities, was found guilty last Friday in Abbotsford provincial court of possession of stolen property under $5,000, possessing a firearm without a licence, possessing a firearm contrary to order and breach of probation. He received a sentence of two years less a day in jail, one year probation, and a lifetime firearms ban.
Pullin was pulled over by police in a stolen Honda Acura in Abbotsford on Aug. 16, 2011. After he stopped the car, Pullin jumped out and ran off. A sawed-off shotgun was found in a backpack on the passenger seat. A police dog tracked Pullin to his hiding spot under a trailer.
Abbotsford Police Const. Ian MacDonald said Pullin is a prolific offender, with 47 convictions to his name. These include a 15-day jail sentence and two years' probation after he pleaded guilty in May 2011 to assault with a weapon, fraud and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
A warrant was issued for Pullin's arrest in June 2010 after he tried to used a fraudulent gift card at the Real Canadian Superstore gas bar in Abbotsford. Pullin was nabbed outside by store staff. As four employees were escorting him across the parking lot, he pulled out a can of bear spray and turned it on them before escaping.
He was arrested three weeks later.
Pullin's numerous other prior convictions include weapons offences, obstructing a police officer, breach of probation, assault with a weapon, theft and drug possession. They occurred in Maple Ridge, Port Coquitlam and Abbotsford.
-Black Press
