An 81-year old woman got the shock of a lifetime Tuesday night when three men broke into her home and stole her purse and jewellery.
The woman was startled when three men forced open the back door of her home in the Lacombe Park area about 11:15 p.m.
“She hears a bang and that discovers that they have come in through the back door,” said Cpl. Laurel Kading.
Kading said the woman was not harmed, but it was a jarring experience.
“They told her that they didn't want to hurt her, but I am sure this has quite affected her.”
Kading said this type of home invasion robbery is extremely rare for St. Albert and there have been no other similar reports. She said at first glance investigators believe the woman may have been targeted.
“We don't believe it was random, but we are still investigating to confirm those angles, so at this point that is all I can say about that.”
She said there is no reason for alarm in the surrounding community, but the police continuously recommend that residents lock their doors in the evening and encourage them to report unusual activity.
“We also recommend that neighbours look out for neighbours and if they see anything suspicious to call police.”
Kading said police would much rather come to find nothing than to miss some important information.
All three suspects in this break-in were wearing dark clothes and hooded sweaters. They are believed to have been white males between the ages of 19 and 25. One of the men was wearing a mask and carrying a weapon, but police declined to specify what kind of weapon.
The RCMP utilized forensic officers from Edmonton as well as the canine unit during the investigation and victim services was called in to support the elderly woman.
Anyone with any information on the incident is being asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or the St. Albert RCMP at 780-458-7700.
