Niagara police search for suspect in elder abuse case

Niagara police have released images of a man they are looking for after a senior in St. Catharines fell victim to a financial scam.

On February 17, an elderly man received a phone call from a woman claiming to be his niece.

The woman said she need money but when the victim said he couldn’t help her, she began to cry. The victim then agreed and was instructed that a man would come by and pick up the cash. A short time later, a man went to the victim’s house and picked up an envelope of cash.

A few minutes later, the victim received a second phone call from the same woman, again asking for money. The victim went to his local bank and made a withdrawal.

The same man returned a second time to collect another envelope of cash and walked away on foot.

The caller never used the victims name and, police say, both the male and female suspects and the victim speak polish.

Investigators say the male suspect is described as having medium skin tone, five-foot-eight, with black short hair, dark eyes and was wearing black clothing.

The suspect vehicle is described as a newer GMC Sierra crew cab pick-up truck, black with a tonneau cover, chrome bars and after-market spoke rims.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact Detective Steve Vandenbos, Central Fraud at 905-688-4111.