Suspect Identified After Woman, 81, Robbed
Posted January 25, 2010 12:49 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The man accused of robbing an elderly woman has been identified.
On Monday, Toronto Police issued a Canada-wide warrant for Richard Earl Rupert, 54.
Officers allege that the suspect (pictured above) accompanied his victim to a bank machine in the Yonge Street and Finch Avenue West area.
She withdrew a quantity of money. He then allegedly grabbed her purse. She struggled, and he knocked her down.
The alleged theft happened on November 30 around 1pm.
It appears that she may not have been the only victim. Rupert is a person of interest in large number of similar offences across the province – and Canada.
The West Vancouver Police Service, Calgary Police Service, Thunder Bay Police Service, Ottawa Police Service, Waterloo Regional Police Service and Niagara Police Service all described similar crimes.
Toronto Police allege that from January 2008 to November 2009, there have been twenty victims, ranging in age from 78 to 95.
Rupert allegedly presents himself as a distant relative of his victims, and asks for money for travel, car repairs or rent.
He’s described as polite, well-mannered and well-spoken. While police say he uses many aliases, he usually goes by the first name Richard.
Rupert is wanted for:
- Robbery
- Break-and-Enter
- eight counts of Fraud Under
- three counts of Attempt Fraud Under
- six counts of Theft Under.
If you can help, call police 416-808-3200, Crime Stoppers anonymously 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).
