Police seeking home intruder who kidnapped and robbed elderly woman

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on June 22, 2023.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

Lethbridge police are seeking the public’s help in tracking down an unknown man who claimed to be a police officer and kidnapped an elderly woman.

Just before midnight on April 23 police responded to a residential break-in along the 2000 block of South Parkside Drive South. A 72-year-old woman was taken from her home and forced to drive to a bank where she withdrew an undisclosed amount of money and handed it over to the intruder.

Staff Sgt. Pete Christos said Wednesday during a news conference that the man identified himself as a police officer before the woman opened door. The intruder demanded money, but when the woman was unable provide any, he forced her to drive him in her car to a bank in the 600 block of Mayor Magrath Drive South.

“An undisclosed amount of cash was provided and the victim was able to return to her home unharmed,” Christos said.

Although the man did not brandish a weapon, and the woman was not physically harmed, she was shaken by the frightening experience.

“You can appreciate she’s emotionally traumatized,” Christos said. “It’s not easy. You can appreciate, if this was your mother or grandmother that experienced something like this, what they would be dealing with.”

The suspect is described as five-feet, nine inches tall with an average or muscular build. He was wearing all black clothing, including gloves and a mask, and may be in his late 20s or 30s.

After the woman was returned to her home, the man fled in an unknown direction.

Christos said police are unable to disclose any additional information to protect the integrity of their investigation, but they hope someone might have seen something suspicious and will contact the Lethbridge Police Service.

“At this time our investigation is ongoing and we are asking for information from the public. We are asking anyone who may have information related to this matter to come forward; perhaps it’s a neighbour, a passerby, or someone saw something in the area at the time of the incident that seemed to be out of place or suspicious.

“No matter how insignificant it may feel from members of the public, we want to hear from you. Anyone with information is asked to call police or Crime Stoppers.”

Christos said police will continue to investigate the matter until the case is solved, and they aren’t leaving any stone unturned.

“We are not excluding anyone at this point. We’ve had leads, we are chasing those down, and our investigators are working diligently toward that.”

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