Arrest in home invasion robbery of D-Day vet, 101

Elderly Ottawa man had been bound before he was able to free himself and call police

Ottawa police have charged a man in connection with a home invasion that saw a 101-year-old D-Day veteran allegedly tied up and robbed, but say their investigation isn’t finished yet.

Staff Sgt. Michael Haarbosch says a man posing as a city employee forced his way into the veteran’s condo Thursday morning before making off with undisclosed items.

The elderly man later freed himself and called police.

Police say a 59-year-old Ottawa man was arrested without incident Friday night after they received a tip earlier that day.

He is charged with attempted murder, robbery with violence, forcible confinement, break and enter and using a credit card ob- tained by crime.

The accused appeared in court Saturday but Haarbosch says police are not identifying him as they are actively investigating several leads from the public that came in after images of the man were released.

While the veteran is also not being named by police, Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino has identified him as Ernest Cote, adding he had travelled with Cote for D-Day anniversary ceremonies and was honoured to know him.

Haarbosch said the case, which has drawn national attention and outrage online, spurred up to 10 additional tips.

“There were other tips from the public and each and every one of those has to be followed up on,” he said.

“The investigation . . . at this point, even though charges have been laid, is still in the early stages and there’s a lot of work to be done still.”