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EDMONTON -- An elderly blind and deaf man woke up to a frightening scene this morning when a thief broke into his bedroom allegedly wielding a knife and demanding valuables.
Police were called to a house near 156 Street and 76 Avenue around 3:20 a.m. with a report of a break and enter.
When they arrived they learned the elderly victim woke up to find a man standing in his room.
“Allegedly, the suspect produced a weapon, possibly a knife, and the elderly gentleman’s wedding ring and wallet were demanded,” said police spokeswoman Patrycia Thenu.
That man was not hurt, but the thief made off with his belongings.
Cops called a K9 unit in and the dogs managed to establish a track, but didn’t find the suspect.
Police say the alleged thief likely fled in a vehicle that was parked in the area some distance from the victim’s home.
Finding the suspect will be tricky because of the man’s vision and hearing impairments, police say.
“The description of the suspect is very vague,” Thenu said.
Police do not believe this break and enter is connected to any others in the city.
Thenu said it’s very rare for robberies to occur at night or in the early morning.
Police are investigating whether the victim was targeted, she added.
“Most home break and enters do not occur in the evening. They occur during the day when homeowners aren’t home because most suspects or thieves don’t want to confront anyone,” she said. “They’re interested in getting in, getting valuables and getting out. These types of (break and enters) are not very common.”
Police continue to investigate.
alyssa.noel@sunmedia.ca