Senior, 87, beaten in her home

scotto

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#1
Dec. 7, 12:51 EDT

Jacquie De Almeida
The Hamilton Spectator
An 87-year-old woman is in hospital with head, back and hip injuries after surprising a burglar in her Beach Boulevard home early yesterday morning.

It's the second attack on a senior in less than a week.

Police responded to a 911 call around 8:30 a.m. after the victim's niece noticed her aunt's front door was open. She found the woman conscious but lying on a hallway floor.

Detective David Kerkhof said few details are available because of the victim's age and shaken state. However, it appears the woman may have stumbled across a male intruder after hearing a noise in the house. She is in stable condition under observation.

The victim's fragile state is making it difficult for detectives to piece things together. Police aren't sure how the man got into the house but it appears a door may have been unlocked.

"At this time, we don't have any sign of a theft or any other crime ... But because she's so elderly, it wouldn't take much for her to be injured," Kerkhof said.

Niece Susan Scobie said she feared something was amiss when her aunt didn't answer the phone early yesterday.

"I knew right then something was wrong," said the 60-year-old who lives next door.

Rushing over, Scobie discovered her aunt's front door wide open. She could see her lying on the floor inside, visibly hurt.

Scobie thought that her aunt, who had lived alone in the house for nearly 25 years, had fallen. But the woman quickly told her that someone had broken into the house. Bruises on her aunt's face and arms convinced Scobie to immediately call 911.

Scobie said her aunt told her she heard what sounded like explosions at the back of the house. She became scared when she saw the back door opening.

The victim said the man was quickly on top of her, with his foot on her head. "She said he was grinding her head into the floor," said Scobie, who checks in on the 87-year-old daily.

Her aunt is confused about what exactly happened, Scobie said, adding her aunt has two broken ribs and a broken collar bone, and her face and arms are covered in bruises. She is expected to be released from hospital today.

"Knowing her, she probably tried to fight him off of her. She's a feisty one. She's only 90 pounds soaking wet, but she'd still try."

This is the second crime against a senior in the span of five days. Thelma Clapham, 79, was found dead in her Rebecca Street apartment last Thursday. An autopsy showed she died of blunt force trauma.

Officers and members of victim services are expected to visit with tenants from Clapham's building today. A command van will be set up at the building to answer questions about safety.

Constable Mike Page says police are seeing more crimes against seniors -- mainly because they're too trusting.

"Seniors have a certain degree of trust. They've grown up in an age where they trusted what people told them. They're not expecting someone with bad intentions to come to their house."

The attack on Beach Boulevard stunned residents who awoke to find police cruisers parked in front of the victim's home and yellow tape strung up around the house. "We're quite concerned ... If it could happen to a friend, it could happen to my mother," said one resident who asked not to be identified.

"Why beat her?" asked another neighbour. "She's a defenceless lady. There's no sense in that."

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 905-546-2921 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

jdealmeida@thespec.com

905-526-3214
 

scotto

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#3
bobbythefinch said:
Here's to a speedy recovery to our fellow Beach resident. Our thoughts are with her and her family :)Let's watch out for one another, folks :)
Bobby;
I fully agree, I have been told that she should be OK.

bobbythefinch said:
And, may the perpetrator of this cowardly crime be brought to justice.
Bobby;
Lets lynch him when we find him. :mad:
 

scotto

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#4
This was sent in by member City Hall (Chad Collins)
Media Release

On December 6, 2004 a person unknown entered a home located on Beach Blvd. in the City of Hamilton. The resident of the home, an 87 year old female, was home at the time. She heard a noise and investigated its origin. In doing so, she surprised the intruder.

The 87 year old victim in this investigation is still hospitalized but is in good condition. She received injuries to her shoulder and ribs and is expected to be released from hospital shortly.

To this point, the investigation has not resulted in any links to the Rebecca Street Homicide nor is there any evidence to suggest this victim was targeted due to her age.

There were two other incidents that occurred on Beach Blvd within the same time frame. One was an entry to another home in close proximity to the elderly victim's residence. The second incident resulted in a broken window to a home also in the same area. Police responded and apprehended an apparent emotionally disturbed person. This person is currently hospitalized.

The investigators are currently looking for any links between all these events.

Investigators have developed several promising leads and are continuing their investigation.
Any person with information should contact Detectives Mike Cunliffe and David Kerkhof at 905-546-2921, or Hamilton Crime Stoppers

Authority,

Detective Sergeant Tom Andrew
Division Two Detectives
905-546-2907
 

scotto

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#6
scotto said:
There were two other incidents that occurred on Beach Blvd within the same time frame. One was an entry to another home in close proximity to the elderly victim's residence. The second incident resulted in a broken window to a home also in the same area. Police responded and apprehended an apparent emotionally disturbed person. This person is currently hospitalized.

The investigators are currently looking for any links between all these events.
From what I hear now, all these incidents are related, so they do have this guy and he is a Beach resident.
 

scotto

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#8
Message From Margaret Lacey

From the January 2005 Beach Banner

Thanks to the Beach Rescue Unit and all my friends for the lovely plants, flowers and cards. Hope I will be home soon.
Marg.
 
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