RCMP have issued a public warning after a 70-year-old woman was the victim of an “incomprehensible” physical and sexual assault inside her own home Wednesday.
An armed man burst into the residence near 28th Avenue and 168th Street shortly after the senior returned from a morning out and proceeded to restrain her and request cash and valuables.
“The male demanded cash and other items, however, the woman was not able to meet his demands,” said Staff Sgt. Dale Carr in a statement.
She was beaten and sexually assaulted before the suspect fled, only making off with a few items.
After freeing herself from the restraints, the victim ran to her neighbour’s home and phoned police. She’s now in hospital with significant but non-life-threatening injuries.
'The victim is traumatized and she did receive some significant injuries as a result of this incident, but she is being treated in a local area hospital and will recover," said Cpl. Scotty Schumann of the Surrey RCMP.
One neighbour told CTV Vancouver he wasn't suprised by the incident, saying his home has been broken into four times in the past three years.
"Ours were always in the afternoon or late evening when no one was home and the RCMP says the MO is they'll ring your doorbell and come around the back when no one is in. It makes me wonder what would have happened if we were home," said Bryan Nielson.
Police asked people living in the area to check their properties for suspicious activity, and are asking residents to be on high alert.
“We’ve lived out here for almost 21 years now and we’ve never heard of something like this,” said area resident Randy Hawkins. “It’s obviously devastating for the family and horrible to hear.”
The suspect is described as a man between 20 and 30-years-old between 5’8 and 6’ tall.
Anyone with information, however small, is asked to contact Surrey RCMP.
