Two teen boys, ages 14 and 16, have been charged with robbery after attempting to steal a senior’s purse last month.
The incident occurred shortly before 7 p.m. on July 11. The two teens approached a 75-year-old woman, who was walking from her car to her apartment on 17th Ave S.E. near Elliston Park, and attempted to steal her purse.
The woman fought back and screamed for help, at which point a neighbour intervened. She suffered minor injuries and was treated in hospital.
The boys had fled the scene before police arrived, but two suspects were identified using CCTV footage, witness interviews and a comparison of evidence from a previous robbery.
The teens, who cannot be named under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, were charged with one count each of robbery.
“This was an unprovoked and opportunistic robbery that targeted a Calgarian going about their day. This incident will have a lasting impact on the victim, beyond her physical injuries,” said Staff Sgt. Keith Shufelt in a Thursday statement.
“The random nature of this offence and the ages of those charged are particularly concerning,” he said.
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