Northern Ont. woman accused of stealing from elderly man in a wheelchair

Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (File photo)

A 38-year-old woman from northwestern Ontario has been charged with several offences after a man in his 70s confined to a wheelchair was robbed last weekend.

"A woman observed driving a pickup truck without plates or insurance in Nakina, Ont., Saturday was arrested after police connected her to a theft investigation involving an elderly man in a wheelchair," the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service said in a news release Monday.

Police in Aroland First Nation were alerted to the theft after receiving a call late Saturday morning.

"Police learned an elderly man received a visitor at his home Saturday morning," the release said.

"During this visit, a 38-year-old female accused entered the victim’s bedroom, retrieved a bag of his belongings and fled. The victim is in his 70s and makes use of a wheelchair, which made him uniquely vulnerable to this theft. Victim and accused were known to each other."

About 30 minutes later, police spotted the woman's pickup truck – which didn't have licence plates in the nearby community of Nakina and took her into custody.

"Police learned the accused had allegedly attempted, but failed, to use the victim’s bank debit card," the release said.

"The items were located and seized from the pickup truck."

Charges include theft under $5,000, driving without insurance, driving without licence plates and driving without a permit.

She was released from custody Saturday afternoon, with conditions and a future court appearance date.