Senior couple injured in home invasion relieved by arrest says daughter

As a senior couple continues to heal from a violent home invasion more than a year ago that left them with life altering injuries, their daughter says they are relieved to learn police have made an arrest.

"There's still more to finish with it but it's a great feeling that we're hopefully getting some closure to this," Ada Coolidge told CBC News.

Police say two men forced their way into a Thorncliffe home on Dec. 18, 2015, demanding money and jewelry.

Coolidge's parents, both in their 70s — who have asked that their names not be published — were assaulted during the robbery and transported to hospital in stable condition.

Along with continuing to suffer the effects of a concussion, Coolidge said her mother, 71, needed facial reconstructive surgery and another operation to repair vision to one of her eyes.

"They had to replace a lens in her eye because she actually lost vision," she said. "They had to reconstruct her eye socket and her nose. She's still bruised from it."

Her father is still suffering emotionally.

"They're both pretty tough but still, it's taken a lot out of them," she said. "They were very strong people and now… I think it's aged them quite a bit."

Celebrating the holidays took on added meaning for the family this year, said Coolidge.

"Lots of reminiscing and thankful we were all together," she said. "They're still here, it could have been a lot worse. My parents are the most caring and great people. For this to happen to them… it's heartbreaking. It's affected everybody."

Targeted incident

Calgary police Staff Sgt. Jeff Bell said police believe the offenders had an indirect link to the couple and came from outside Calgary for the sole purpose of committing the crime.

Cory Owen Eide, 43,  of Clive, Alta. has been charged with break and enter, aggravated assault and two counts of unlawful confinement. He is scheduled to appear in court in January.

Eide is known to police outside of the Calgary jurisdiction, Bell said.

Police are still working to identify the second suspect who is described as a white man in his late 20s, six-foot-two-inches tall with a slim build. He was wearing a blue and white bandana across his face during the home invasion.

Bell said Eide is not cooperating with police in helping to identify his accomplice, but they believe the second suspect came from outside Calgary, possibly the Red Deer area.

Anyone with information is asked to call Calgary police or Crime Stoppers.

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