Two injured in attack after intruders hit wrong house: police

Man tied up couple in Nanaimo home, ransacked it and took jewelry, credit cards

A man in his 70s was struck on the forehead and his wife injured early Tuesday when three males broke into their Garner Crescent home and ransacked it, Nanaimo RCMP say.

But based on police talking with the victims and what the intruders were reported to have said, it is believed the robbery was carried out in the wrong home, said Const. Gary O’Brien.

O’Brien said it looks like they made a mistake.

“Police canvassed the area and there was nothing untoward with any of the homes on Garnet Crescent, and they may just have had bad intelligence.

“Sadly they got the wrong house and two people are having a very hard time as a result of it.”

The home invasion started about 2:30 a.m. The couple was tied up while the males moved around the house.

Ambulance paramedics transported the husband to hospital for treatment of a laceration. The wife is very traumatized by the incident.

Bank and credit cards, personal effects and jewelry were taken from the home.

The intruders left in the couple’s 2008 Lexus IS250 with B.C. licence plate 044 TCV.

Mike Gogo, who had worked with the injured man, is offering a $5,000 reward to anyone who provides details leading to a resolution of the case.

Gogo said he was in the sawmill business for many years and knows the man because he operated a tug boat.

“He used to tow my logs for me and he did me a whole lot of favours, a helluva nice guy. Just a very, very decent man.”

The crime is disturbing and he wants to see those who did it get caught, Gogo said.

“You can’t have people like that in any town.

“You imagine if somebody came into your room and you’re almost 80 years old and smashes you over the head.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or go to nanaimocrimestoppers.com.