Belgravia area hit by series of robberies
A Belgravia couple raising their grandchildren since their daughter and son-in-law were killed in a 2006 highway crash are reeling again after two recent break-ins to their home.
The robbery is a microcosm of spiralling crime in the neighbourhood, say police.
“I’m usually a very positive person, though this has understandably left both my husband and I dealing with a lot of emotions,” said Leslie Morgenstern, 72, who along with husband, Rick, has been raising her two grandchildren since the deadly wreck near Revelstoke, B.C., in which her daughter Mia, 40, and her husband David, 38, died.
On May 9, thieves broke into the Morgenstern home, stealing more than $120,000 worth of handmade jewelry, some of which was Mia’s. Other stolen pieces included Morgenstern’s wedding ring, as well as her late sister’s jewelry. She was hoping to give some of Mia’s jewelry to her grandchildren.
“I know they’re just things, but for children especially, if that’s all you have, then that would be very important for them,” Morgenstern said.
At a news conference Thursday, Morgenstern said the jewelry is normally stored in a safe, but she had taken them out to sort on the afternoon they were stolen. She “ran out for a few moments” for an errand when the thief struck. He was in and out in 10 minutes.
The culprits also made off with a key fob to the family’s 2008 black Acura MDX — bearing licence plate BBR 1797. A thief then returned May 20, breaking into the family’s detached garage and stealing the SUV.
Police warned the case is just
I know they’re just things, but for children especially, if that’s all you have, then that would be very important.
one of a string of recent robberies in the Belgravia neighbourhood. Edmonton Police Service spokesperson Scott Pattison told a news conference Thursday that since April 1, there have been 20 incidents. He said the trend is not correlated with the higher number of transients in the area from construction and the LRT.
Police have since arrested and charged one man. Pattison added the culprit is a career criminal.
Joshua Little, 38, is charged with carrying a concealed weapon, three counts of failing to comply with a probation order, two counts of possession of stolen ID, housebreaking and committing theft under $5,000.
“Thankfully, some of the jewelry has been returned to us. Unfortunately, there are many pieces with sentimental value that were never found,” Morgenstern said.