Elderly suspect sought after cane theft caught on camera in B.C. mall

The Nanaimo RCMP have released an image of the suspect - an elderly woman wearing a red puffer vest.

Police in Nanaimo, B.C., are calling on the public to help identify an elderly woman suspect believed to have stolen a cane.

According to a statement issued by the Nanaimo RCMP Wednesday, the cane was swiped the afternoon of Sept. 23 from an unattended shopping cart at the Woodgrove Shopping Mall.

The cane’s owner, a 55-year-old woman who frequently visits the mall with her husband, had been enjoying a coffee inside with friends when the theft took place, police said. The woman had left her cane in a cart just outside the mall, and returned from her gathering to find it had disappeared.

After reviewing security video, police said an “older woman” could be seen picking up the cane from the cart and walking off with it. In a still taken from the surveillance video the suspect, wearing a red, sleeveless puffer vest, can be seen pushing a cart with the cane balanced over its handle.

According to Const. Gary O’Brien, the woman and her husband are “very upset” as the walking aid holds ”significant sentimental value” for both of them. The handcrafted wooden cane had been passed down to the woman by her mother-in-law before her death six years ago, police said.

“Their only hope is that it was mistakenly picked up, and that the cane will be returned to them,” said O’Brien.

Anyone who can identify the suspect or has information on the whereabouts of the cane, are asked to call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.