Images could give clues to attack in Nanaimo
RCMP believe intruders mistakenly targeted couple’s home, taking jewelry, bank cards
The Nanaimo couple attacked in a home invasion this week hope that surveillance images released Friday will help lead to an arrest.
Donald and Marie Biggs were sleeping in their Garner Crescent home when Donald heard an intruder about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The 78-year-old retired tugboat captain opened his bedroom door to see a masked man in the hallway.
Donald yelled: “What the hell are you doing here?” and lunged at the man. The man pushed back and the two ended up wrestling in his bedroom.
The man whacked Donald on the head with a club, leaving him bleeding heavily from a gash over his left eyebrow.
Donald was tied up while the three intruders barged into Marie’s room. Marie saw that one of the men had a gun.
She was tied up with a belt while the men ransacked the house, taking dozens of items of gold jewelry and $1,500 in American bills.
The intruders also took the couple’s bank cards and cellphones, and left in their 2008 Lexus.
The home’s landline was disabled during the home invasion, so the couple ran across the street and banged on their neighbour’s door to call 911.
Donald said his wife is still shaken up.
“She’s kind of wobbly,” he said. “Mentally, it’s pretty tough.”
Nanaimo RCMP believe the Biggs home was targeted by mistake.
Investigators have swept the home for fingerprints and examined the Lexus, which was later recovered on Millstone Avenue.
On Friday, police released surveillance images of two men they believe have information that could assist the investigation.
Const. Gary O’Brien did not say that the men are suspects, but said police want to speak with them.
He did not reveal where or when the surveillance images were taken.
Police ask anyone who has information on the two men to call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345. Anonymous reports can be made to Crime Stoppers at nanaimocrimestoppers.com or 1800-222-TIPS (8477).
Nanaimo tree farmer Mike Gogo, who worked with Donald Biggs, is offering a $5,000 reward to anyone who provides details leading to a resolution of the case.