‘Tough cookie’ having flashbacks after violent home invasion, daughter says Knife-wielding intruder’s shove leaves 73-year-old East Selkirk widow ‘banged-up, bruised’ after demanding vehicle keys; suspect arrested with victim’s car By: Chris Kitching Posted: 11:53 AM CDT Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022

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The sound of a knife-wielding intruder shouting and banging on walls sparked a terrifying ordeal for a 73-year-old widow who was attacked during a rare home invasion in rural Manitoba.

The woman was sleeping when a man began trying to break into her East Selkirk-area house just before midnight Saturday.

After smashing a window and forcing his way inside the home in the Rural Municipality of St. Clements, the intruder shoved the woman to the floor and stole her car.

“She’s banged up, she’s got bruises on her arm and back,” said the victim’s daughter, who asked to remain anonymous. “Thankfully, that’s all it was. It could have been way worse.”

Manitoba RCMP spokesman Sgt. Paul Manaigre said home invasions in rural areas are not common.

“We don’t frequently see these and if we do, there’s usually a connection between the suspects and the occupants of the home,” he said.

After she was awakened by the sound of shouting and banging on the outside walls of her home, the victim got up and went to check what was happening, her daughter said.

When she reached the front door, the man was there and banging to get in.

He then smashed a glass window, reached inside and opened the door, triggering an alarm system.

“She was telling the (call taker), ‘He’s here, he’s trying to get in,’” said the daughter. “When he came in, he pushed her back, and she just lost her balance and hit (the) wall and refrigerator. She fell to the floor… and she stayed down.”

The RCMP said Selkirk-based officers were nearby when a 911 call came in from a home on CIL Road.

A call-taker heard a voice demanding car keys before the call dropped.

The intruder found a car key as he rummaged around, and then drove off in the woman’s 2014 Chevrolet Malibu.

Officers arrived shortly after the 911 call, but the man was already gone.

“It was that quick. He came in, knocked her down and was demanding the keys,” said the daughter. “(Police) were really close, which I’m thankful for.

“(The man) didn’t take her wallet or jewelry. He just needed a vehicle.”

”He came in, knocked her down and was demanding the keys… (Police) were really close, which I’m thankful for.” – Victim’s daughter

Police told the victim the man broke in after the vehicle he was driving ran out of gas near Highway 59 and CIL Road, about 25 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg.

Manaigre said he doesn’t believe the other vehicle was reported stolen, but it was not registered to the suspect.

After that vehicle was found abandoned, officers tracked the stolen Malibu to a nearby business in the RM of East St. Paul, where a suspect was arrested.

There is no connection between the business and suspect, who was found standing next to the Malibu in a parking lot, said Manaigre.

Back at the scene, paramedics treated the victim for her injuries. She is a “tough cookie,” but has suffered flashbacks while recovering, said her daughter.

“She can still see his face. She can still hear the noises,” the woman said. “She’s just strong and moving forward and dealing with it.”

“She can still see his face. She can still hear the noises… She’s just strong and moving forward and dealing with it.” – Victim’s daughter

While police searched the area for a suspect, the victim called her daughter to tell her about the home invasion.

“I was pretty panicked. It felt like forever (driving) there,” said the daughter, who rushed over to her mother’s house and stayed with her for a couple of days.

She described the area as being a good and quiet place where neighbours look out for each other.

“My mother has been here for 50-plus years, and has never had anything happen to this extent,” she said.

Blake Andrew Morris, 43, was arrested on suspicion of break and enter and possession of stolen property, RCMP said.

The Winnipeg man was released by a justice of the peace Sunday.

He is scheduled to appear in Selkirk provincial court Aug. 26 on several charges, including assault with a weapon, robbery with a weapon, break and enter, vehicle theft and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

RCMP continue to investigate the St. Clements incident and a second home invasion, which occurred in western Manitoba over the weekend.

Two people — a male armed with a bat and a female — stormed a home on Fifth Avenue South in Swan River around 5 a.m. Sunday.

Dressed in black clothing, the pair forced two victims — a 21-year-old man and 17-year-old girl — into the living room, and stole a number of items before fleeing.

No injuries were reported.

It is unclear why the home was targeted.

“It’s not believed the suspects and victims knew each other,” said Manaigre.

Anyone with information is asked to call Swan River RCMP at 204-734-4686 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.

The RCMP and Winnipeg police said there are several steps people can take to protect themselves and their homes from intruders.

“The advice would be for homeowners to secure their residences as best they can, even when home, have proper lighting outside and, if at all possible, install a surveillance system,” said Manaigre.

“The advice would be for homeowners to secure their residences as best they can, even when home, have proper lighting outside and, if at all possible, install a surveillance system.” – Sgt. Paul Manaigre

City police spokesman Const. Claude Chancy said home invasions targeting “general members of the public” are not common in Winnipeg.

Most involve gangs and drug trafficking.

“In response to what one should do during a home invasion, situations can drastically vary during this type of incident as the assailants could have various motives for their actions,” said Chancy. “If a suspect successfully invades the residence, the best is to escape the residence out of harm’s way.

“If this is not possible, the next best option is to lock yourself in a room and call 911.”

He recommends people close their blinds or curtains at night to avoid “prying eyes,” and not keep any valuables and money at home.

“The most important aspect for older adults living alone is establishing a safety net with neighbours who can look out for them,” said Chancy.

While many people share their plans or movements on social media, Chancy said people should keep their daily itinerary private.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @chriskitching