By Ian Holmes

Elderly Nanaimo woman’s home invaded twice in 4 days: RCMP

Jan 9, 2018 | 1:41 PM

NANAIMO — A 79-year-old woman is refusing to back down following two home invasions in four nights.

RCMP Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW the woman went outside her Winchester Ave. home Monday night at 8 p.m. to close a gate.

When she returned, she found a masked man inside.

“At which point he physically forced her into a nearby bedroom, she fell on the bed and she got up and fought back at him and she was thrown down again, this time on the floor.”

He said the suspect demanded her purse and cell phone, but she refused. O’Brien said she managed escape to a neighbour’s home, while the suspect took off.

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O’Brien said police dogs couldn’t pick up a scent, despite a quick response.

Facebook forums noted a heavy police presence on Winchester Ave. shortly after the incident.

O’Brien said the the victim had bumps and bruises but is otherwise fine.

“She’s feisty, she was offered accommodation with a friend and said ‘No, I’ve lived in the house for 50 years, I’m not leaving now.’”

He said the same woman’s home was robbed just two nights prior when three rings, cash and a debit card were taken. He said the two incidents could be connected.

“It looks like it’s targeted, the fact that the person capitalized on the home, possibly on two occasions.”

The suspect from the Monday night attack is described as white, 5’5”, with a slim build and had a black balaclava covering his face. He didn’t appear to be armed.

ian@NanaimoNewsNOW.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes