WWII vet, 101, tied up and robbed in Ottawa condo
By Corey Larocque, Ottawa Sun
First posted: Thursday, December 18, 2014 02:20 PM EST | Updated: Thursday, December 18, 2014 08:54 PM EST
OTTAWA ─ Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen are "appalled" and "horrified" a 101-year-old Second World War veteran was victimized in a cowardly home invasion and robbery in his Ottawa condo.
Ernest Cote stormed the beaches of Normandy 70 years ago on D-Day.
Laureen Harper tweeted she was "honoured" to visit France in June with Cote to mark the anniversary.
"Horrified to read he was robbed. Our thoughts are with him and his family," she wrote.
The message was later retweeted by her husband. A spokesman for the PM later told QMI Agency Harper is "appalled" by the crime.
"We hope the police catch and prosecute the individual who committed this despicable act," Harper added.
Cote's daughter Lucy told QMI Agency her father is recovering from the ordeal but was asked by police not to talk to the media while they're investigating.
"He's doing fine," she said. "He's okay."
His family hopes for a quick arrest and appreciated the support from the Harpers and other Canadians.
Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino called Cote "a very special Canadian" and a "fine gentleman."
He called the robbery a "heinous and despicable act."
"It's amazing since Ernest Cote is one of Canada's heroes from Juno Beach," Fantino said in an interview with QMI Agency.
"I have faith in the Ottawa police in that I know they will do their utmost best to find this person or people and bring them to justice," said Fantino, a former Toronto police chief. "This is one time where I wish the lash was brought back."
Police responded to a violent home invasion Thursday morning at approximately 7:30 a.m. The victim was bound up by a suspect he allowed into his home after the man presented himself as a city worker, police say.
Police have not confirmed the victim's name, but his name became public in numerous reports and through government sources.
Cote suffered minor injuries during the robbery, which occurred in a secure condo building on an upscale street.
"An unpleasant thing, but it's a lesson to everyone -- don't let people into your building unless you know exactly who they are. This man was misrepresenting himself," said Blair Seaborn, a neighbour who learned of the robbery from the superintendent of the building.
The suspect demanded money, but Cote told him he didn't have any.
The suspect taped his mouth and put a bag over his head. He rummaged through the home and found a wallet. When he demanded the PIN for a bank card, the thief was given a bogus number, Seaborn said.
The homeowner used an alarm system to call for help, Seaborn said.
Police are uncertain if the robbery was random or if Cote was targeted.
Police describe the suspect as a white man, approximately 50 years old. He has a fair complexion, prominent nose, short grey hair and was possibly wearing glasses. He wore a driver's style cap, black winter jacket, black pants, black boots and black gloves. He also carried a black bag that had a strap over his head, a police report states.
-- with files from Joe Warmington and Doug Hempstead
WWII vet, 101, tied up and robbed in Ottawa condo | Ontario | News | Toronto Sun
By Corey Larocque, Ottawa Sun
First posted: Thursday, December 18, 2014 02:20 PM EST | Updated: Thursday, December 18, 2014 08:54 PM EST
OTTAWA ─ Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen are "appalled" and "horrified" a 101-year-old Second World War veteran was victimized in a cowardly home invasion and robbery in his Ottawa condo.
Ernest Cote stormed the beaches of Normandy 70 years ago on D-Day.
Laureen Harper tweeted she was "honoured" to visit France in June with Cote to mark the anniversary.
"Horrified to read he was robbed. Our thoughts are with him and his family," she wrote.
The message was later retweeted by her husband. A spokesman for the PM later told QMI Agency Harper is "appalled" by the crime.
"We hope the police catch and prosecute the individual who committed this despicable act," Harper added.
Cote's daughter Lucy told QMI Agency her father is recovering from the ordeal but was asked by police not to talk to the media while they're investigating.
"He's doing fine," she said. "He's okay."
His family hopes for a quick arrest and appreciated the support from the Harpers and other Canadians.
Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino called Cote "a very special Canadian" and a "fine gentleman."
He called the robbery a "heinous and despicable act."
"It's amazing since Ernest Cote is one of Canada's heroes from Juno Beach," Fantino said in an interview with QMI Agency.
"I have faith in the Ottawa police in that I know they will do their utmost best to find this person or people and bring them to justice," said Fantino, a former Toronto police chief. "This is one time where I wish the lash was brought back."
Police responded to a violent home invasion Thursday morning at approximately 7:30 a.m. The victim was bound up by a suspect he allowed into his home after the man presented himself as a city worker, police say.
Police have not confirmed the victim's name, but his name became public in numerous reports and through government sources.
Cote suffered minor injuries during the robbery, which occurred in a secure condo building on an upscale street.
"An unpleasant thing, but it's a lesson to everyone -- don't let people into your building unless you know exactly who they are. This man was misrepresenting himself," said Blair Seaborn, a neighbour who learned of the robbery from the superintendent of the building.
The suspect demanded money, but Cote told him he didn't have any.
The suspect taped his mouth and put a bag over his head. He rummaged through the home and found a wallet. When he demanded the PIN for a bank card, the thief was given a bogus number, Seaborn said.
The homeowner used an alarm system to call for help, Seaborn said.
Police are uncertain if the robbery was random or if Cote was targeted.
Police describe the suspect as a white man, approximately 50 years old. He has a fair complexion, prominent nose, short grey hair and was possibly wearing glasses. He wore a driver's style cap, black winter jacket, black pants, black boots and black gloves. He also carried a black bag that had a strap over his head, a police report states.
-- with files from Joe Warmington and Doug Hempstead
WWII vet, 101, tied up and robbed in Ottawa condo | Ontario | News | Toronto Sun
