British Columbia·Updated

70-year-old woman sexually assaulted in Surrey home

RCMP say an unidentified man broke into a 70-year-old woman's home in South Surrey, B.C., and sexually assaulted her on Wednesday afternoon.

Surrey RCMP say the crime has even the most experienced officers upset

A 70-year-old woman who was physically and sexually assaulted in her South Surrey home has suffered significant injuries, but will recover, said RCMP on Thursday.

A man with a weapon entered the woman's house near 167th Street and 28th Avenue Wednesday afternoon and demanded cash and other items said Surrey RCMP Cpl. Scotty Schumann.

"When she was unable to meet his demands she was restrained and physically and sexually assaulted," said Schulmann. "After a period of time she was able to escape and get to a neighbour's residence and call police."

The suspect remains at large. He is described only as 20 to 30 years old, approximately five-feet-eight inches to six-feet tall. 

Police are extremely concerned about the incident, said Schulmann.

"This is a terrible crime and even the most experienced officers cringe when they hear this kind of thing. It's terrible the trauma this victim has suffered."

Investigators are canvassing the neighbourhood and hope to get more information from the victim, who remains in hospital. 

"We're putting all of our serious crime resources on this and will be working on it 24-7 until we identify the suspect," said Schulmann. 

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or Crime Stoppers, if they wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.solvecrime.ca.

Google Maps: 16700 block of 28 Avenue