A couple described by police as "upstanding citizens" were the victims of a home invasion last night (Wednesday) in Abbotsford that resulted in cash, electronics and a Mercedes SUV being stolen from their home.
Const. Ian MacDonald said police received a call at 11:25 p.m. from the female resident, saying she and her husband had their home invaded by three men wearing balaclavas and dark clothing.
MacDonald said it appears the unarmed suspects entered the home in the 35900 block of McKee Road through an unlocked door. They encountered the 61-year-old woman in the living room.
Her 58-year-old husband then appeared, and put up a struggle. He was kicked and punched, suffering a cut to his head.
The couple were tied up and moved to another room, while the trio ransacked the home and left in the SUV.
The pair were able to free themselves from their constraints and called police. The man was taken to hospital for treatment of his head wound, and was released.
The abandoned SUV was recovered by police a few hours later in a residential area on Whatcom Road.
MacDonald said it is believed the suspects did not know the couple, who might have been targeted because they own a local business, which he wouldn't identify. The couple has no connections to drugs, gangs or other criminal activity, he said.
He said police have not ruled out whether there are any links to a similar home invasion that took place in Abbotsford on Jan. 7 in the 500 block of McCallum Road.
That incident also targeted a family who owns a local business – a jewelry store – and involved three people being abducted. The victims were abandoned by their abductors on Highway 1 near Clearbrook Road.
No charges have been laid in connection to that incident.
Police are now asking for assistance in their investigation of the latest home invasion. They are asking anyone who observed a vehicle parked near the Ledgeview Golf and Country Club or at any of the gated properties on McKee Road between 10 and 11:30 p.m. last night to call them at 604-859-5225 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.