Video of Ottawa home invasion suspect released by police
The man suspected of invading the Ottawa apartment of a 101-year-old war veteran, robbing him and leaving him bound with a bag over his head is seen gaining entry to the building in a video released by police on Friday.
Ottawa police received a flood of tips after releasing photos of the suspect — a white man who appears to be in his 50s — after the Thursday home invasion in New Edinburgh, but he remains at large.
On Friday afternoon, police released a video of the suspect using the phone in the lobby of the building at 31 Durham Pvt. He then appears to be buzzed in through the secure door.
Suspect claimed to be city employee
Second World War veteran Ernest Côté was alone in his second-floor apartment when a man claiming to be a City of Ottawa employee asked to be buzzed into the building around 7:30 a.m. on Thursday.
Once inside, the man forced himself inside Côté’s apartment and demanded money, then physically restrained and binded him.
Côté was eventually able to free his hands and remove the bag from his head after the suspect left. He was not injured.
Ottawa police Chief Charles Bordeleau met with Côté on Friday. Côté’s daughter told CBC News that they both appreciated the chief’s courtesy call.
Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino also visited Cote on Friday. Fantino said he's "outraged" by the incident and asked anyone with information to call police.
"I had the honour to visit with my friend and Canadian hero Ernest Côté today after the reprehensible crime that was committed against him," Fantino said in an emailed statement later Friday.
"I was very pleased to see that the 101-year-old D-Day Veteran remains in good spirits, a testament to his strong and brave character."
Suspect described as tall man with balding grey hair
The suspect is six feet tall and weighs about 200 pounds with a "pot belly," police said. He has a fair complexion, a prominent nose and short grey hair that is balding.
He was wearing a driver’s style cap, a black winter jacket, black pants, black boots and black gloves at the time of the home invasion.
He was also carrying a black bag with a shoulder strap, and he spoke English with no noticeable accent.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the robbery unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5477, or Crime Stoppers at 613-233-8477, toll free at 1-800-222-8477.
