CAR THIEF DRIVES TOWARD PUBLICATION

Osborne Has Kicked Drugs And Written 'Educational Book'

The serial car criminal who gained fame as the first thief ever caught
on tape in the bait-car program, says he's kicked meth, written a book
and reformed his ways, just weeks before he's due for release.

Robert Jeremy Osborne is believed to have stolen up to 1,000 vehicles
during his decades-long drug-and-crime spree. The bait-car video
detailing Osborne's drug-induced police chase in June 2004 was widely
distributed and dubbed "the most chilling bait-car video auto
investigators from around the world have ever seen" by then-head of
B.C.'s Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team Cpl. Tim Shields.

In a telephone interview with The Province from Ferndale Institution,
Osborne described how he kicked drugs and how writing helped him recover.

"For the first 10 days, it was very difficult [to withdraw], but after
two weeks I was happy to be alive again," said the 30-year-old. "I
didn't think it was possible before."

Osborne started using drugs at age 14. It was only following the shock
of his mother's death in October 2005 -- her body was found in
Richmond, months after she disappeared from her Surrey home -- that he
swore them off. (Though he refused the formal drug-treatment program.)

"Her life ended the way it did because of her addiction to alcohol.
It's a promise I made to her to honour her memory. I've been
absolutely true to it," Osborne said.

As he recovered he filled dozens of journals with his life
story.

He eventually completed an 80,000-word manuscript, titled "Oncoming,"
that he hopes to publish as "an educational book."

Osborne's prison writing teacher Ed Griffin said Osborne's book is
more than the typical prisoner's glorification of past crimes.

Griffin said over the two years he worked with Osborne, he was taken
by the "honesty" of his writing."He's very high in ability, but more
than that he's pretty determined. I'm impressed [and] I've dealt with
a lot of cons," said Griffin, who has taught over 500 inmates since
1993.

"I think he's got ability and I want to see him succeed. He's trying
to get the hell out of this life."

That won't be easy. Osborne racked up 123 charges since age 18. In
recent years, he made Surrey's top-10 most-wanted list two years in a
row. In the late 1990s, Osborne was convicted of an alcohol-fuelled
assault on his common-law partner and her toddler.

During his performance on the bait-car video, Osborne stole a truck in
Aldergrove and was filmed driving wildly to evade police, trying to
fire a jammed handgun and screaming, "Oncoming!" in a meth-induced
frenzy. He reached speeds of 140 km/h before police gave up the chase.

A month later, he was arrested in a Surrey parkade after driving a
stolen vehicle through three fences. He was convicted on 24 charges.

Osborne was sentenced to four years, but served two (he was in custody
a year before trial, which was counted as two years time served).

Shortly after incarceration, he was placed in segregation after
aggressive behaviour toward staff. He was denied early release in
January, over worries he'd be likely to re-offend.

On Oct. 1, Osborne will be eligible for statutory release.

Looking forward to his freedom, Osborne is contrite about his past and
optimistic about his future.

His message to his former victims is simple: "I'm sorry."

Excerpt from Robert Jeremy Osborne's outline for his proposed book,
Oncoming

On June 6, 2004, I stole an RCMP bait-car. I was recorded on video in
a crystal-meth-induced frenzy as I ran from the police. Thankfully,
nobody was injured. The graphic 42-minute bait-car video was aired on
TV around the world. On blogs and websites, people from all over
expressed comments and questioned what led me to such insanity.

Two days after my arrest, I learned that my mother had disappeared.
Sixteen months later her decomposed body was found. I am convinced her
life would not have ended as it did if it weren't for her dependence
on alcohol. The death of my mother was the last loss I was willing to
take due to addiction. I made a personal vow in my mother's honour --
that I would not fall to my addiction as she had to hers. I have
remained 100-per-cent true and have not used crystal meth since June
22, 2004.

I spent one year in remand and fourteen months at Matsqui Federal
Penitentiary. Regular testing proves that I have not used drugs
despite their ready availability in prison.

During my time in prison I have written an 80,000-word autobiography
tentatively called Oncoming. This is an educational book, which will
prevent others from choosing the same dangerous path I went down. I
write about my early family life and show how alcohol abuse affected
our whole household. I write about the different stages and
progression of my drug abuse and criminal behaviour. I spiraled down
into crime and jail.

I bring the reader with me as I struggle with the greatest heartache
of my life -- the mysterious disappearance and death of my mother.
This sad event has given me the strength to make the changes I have
been attempting for fifteen years and has sent me on a journey down
the bumpy road of self-discovery.