Vancouver senior may not survive after men pose as police officers in ‘horrific’ attack
Posted February 1, 2021 11:28 am.
Last Updated February 1, 2021 12:51 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A 78-year-old woman is critically hurt after she was attacked in her home on Vancouver’s west side Sunday by two men posing as police officers, according to the VPD. It’s prompted a warning from police for everyone to be on alert.
Vancouver police say the two men knocked on the woman’s door around 6 a.m. It’s believed the victim was attacked inside her home near Queen Elizabeth Park after she let the men inside.
The senior, who lives alone, likely lay injured in the home for several hours before a friend called police for a wellness check.
Related article: Man arrested after senior pushed to the ground, hurt in downtown Vancouver
When officers arrived at the home, the woman was found clinging to life and was taken to the hospital.
“This was a horrific and deeply disturbing crime,” Sgt. Steve Addision with the VPD said, adding they still don’t know who did this or what their motivation was.
“Because of the injuries she sustained and her advanced age, we are concerned that she might not survive,” he said.
Police are not sharing details of the attack, but say officers have not yet been able to speak with her. They are warning everyone to be on alert.
“We need people to be careful and aware and vigilant about anybody who might be coming to their door and posing as police officers because this is obviously a very frightening case that’s occurred and people need to take some steps to protect themselves,” Addison said.
"I'm not going to get into the specifics about what the injuries are but because of the injuries she sustained and her advanced age, we're concerned she might not survive," says #VPD Sgt. Steve Addison. @NEWS1130 story: https://t.co/OiCEQnQGan https://t.co/bcFqi7u7BV
— Sonia Aslam (@SoniaSAslam) February 1, 2021
The first suspect is described as a white man who is about 6’0″ with a long, brown beard and a medium build. He’s believed to be in his 30s.
The second suspect is believed to be an Indigenous or Hispanic man. He’s also about 6’0″ with a heavy build and dark, balding hair. He’s believed to be between 30 and 50 years old.
Related article: Elderly man assaulted in what VPD describes as racially-motivated incident
Police are reminding you that officers will have specific ID.
“In Vancouver, we have police officers who work in uniform and people who work in plainclothes — which essentially means people who are wearing street clothes and they’re still on duty. Any police officer who’s working should have a badge. They should have an identification card and they should have a personal identification number that’s unique to them,” Addison said.
He adds if you have any doubt whether the person you are dealing with is a legitimate police officer, you can call the VPD non-emergency line at 604-717-3321.
If you have details about the attack over the weekend, you’re asked to call the VPD’s Major Crime Section at 604-717-2541 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
-With files from Sonia Aslam
