3 teens charged after senior assaulted by thieves who stole his jacket

Police have charged three teens in what they called the "senseless" attack of a man in his 70s who was walking in downtown Calgary when assaulted and pushed to the ground by people who stole his Levi's jacket.

The man was walking in the area of Sixth Avenue and Seventh Street S.W. at about 11 p.m. on Sept. 22 when he was confronted by a male and two females who demanded his jacket and produced a handgun, police said in a release Thursday.

The assailants grabbed the victim's arms and pushed him to the ground, causing him to hit his head on the pavement. 

They stole the man's jacket and fled. The victim was taken to hospital for minor injuries.

"This was a senseless attack on a senior for no greater reason than the suspects wanted the victim's jacket," said Staff Sgt. Jodi Gach.

"This has had lasting impacts on the victim and could have been even more serious. These kinds of attacks will not be tolerated."

Police thanked the people who stopped to help the man before emergency crews arrived.

"They truly demonstrate that as a community, we have a responsibility to look out for each other. Thank you for helping a person in need."

On Nov. 20, police executed a search warrant at a residence in the 2700 block of 17A Street N.W., which led to charges against three people and the recovery of the stolen jacket.

Tyler McKenzie, 19, of Calgary, faces several charges, including robbery with a restricted or prohibited firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and failure to comply with an undertaking.

Sydney-Lee Rosalie Saunders, 18, is charged with possession of an imitation weapon for a dangerous purpose, robbery with a restricted or prohibited firearm, and four counts of failure to comply with a release order.

And a 17-year-old female was charged with robbery with a restricted or prohibited firearm.