Ottawa Police have released security footage of a man they believe is responsible for robbing a 101-year-old war veteran.
Police say they're investigating several leads in the search for a suspect wanted in connection with a home invasion Thursday morning involving a 101-year-old decorated war vet.
He fought on the beaches of Normandy to bring peace to this world. At 101 years of age, Colonel Ernest Côté encountered another enemy in his own home Thursday morning in Ottawa. Côté was robbed in a home invasion in his condo on Durham Private in New Edinburgh. It happened when a man buzzed Côté's condo, claiming to be an employee with the city of Ottawa. Côté was tied up and robbed in a violent attack that this war veteran faced with courage. Late Thursday afternoon, Colonel Ernest Côté showed up at Ottawa Police headquarters to give a police statement, mere hours after being tied up and robbed. He didn't want to talk to the media, though.
The Juno Beach vet started his day in a horrifying manner. At 7:30 A.M. , a man buzzed his condo in the secure high-end complex in New Edinburgh, identifying himself as a city of Ottawa employee. Côté let him in.
‘The suspect then went to victim’s door,’ says Staff Sergeant Mike Haarbosch of the Ottawa Police, ‘and asked for cash and when he was refused, he forced his way into the apartment and it was at that point that he bound the victim, who is 101 years of age.’
The suspect searched the apartment and made off with several items. Côté managed to free himself and call police.
CTV featured Colonel Ernest Côté recently, for the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landing. It's a battle where Canadian soldiers showed what they were made of; earned respect that should last their life time.
What happened to him in his own home is anything but respectful. So shocking was this attack on a decorated war hero, even the prime minister's wife was compelled to respond.
On Twitter she wrote, ‘Honored to travel to France last June with D-Day vet Ernest Côté. Horrified to read he was robbed. Our thoughts are with him & his family.’
The Minister of Veterans Affairs, Julian Fantino, added. ‘Sending my prayers to Ernest Côté, my friend & CDN hero. This thug should go to jail.’
It was a callous attack blocks away from the prime minister's home. Residents are worried.
‘There were several police here,’ says one man, ‘and several ambulances.’
‘Uncomfortable,’ says Boni Penna, about how he feels about his safety now, ‘It’s a pretty quiet, safe place.’
These are expensive high-end units with extensive security features where residents know each other and watch out for each other. Resident Ann Clayton says many of these units are occupied by seniors. She says they need to be wary of who is at their door.
‘Exactly and you really do have to get confidence in whether they really are who they say they are and confirm it,’ she says.
Colonel Côté managed to get a very good description of the suspect. He's described as a white male, 50 years of age, with a fair complexion, a prominent nose, short grey hair and dressed in black.
Police released photos of the man from surveillance cameras at the condo and at a bank machine. Staff Sergeant Mike Haarbosch says they have received several tips regarding the identity of the man that they are now pursuing.
Colonel Côté wasn't injured in the home invasion. Police aren't sure yet whether this was a random attack or whether the suspect knew exactly who he was robbing.
