Arrest made in home break-in, sexual assault of 83-year-old Courtenay woman

Police on Vancouver Island say a 25-year-old man is facing nine charges, including sexual assault and unlawful confinement, after an 83-year-old woman was allegedly attacked in a break-in shortly after Christmas.

At about 7:30 a.m. on Dec. 28, Comox Valley Mounties were called to a break-and-enter at the home of the Courtenay senior.

“The woman was home at the time and described the suspect as a masked man wearing dark clothing and sunglasses,” said RCMP Const. Monika Terragni in a news release on Tuesday.

Matthew Russell McCharles-Carter has been arrested and is being held in custody.

He is charged with sexual assault, break-and-enter, unlawful confinement, assault, uttering threats, theft over $5,000, possession and use of a stolen credit card, possession of property obtained by crime, and disguising his face with intent to commit an offence.

“The investigation involved extensive, around-the-clock work by the Comox Valley RCMP major crime unit,” Terragni said, with help from patrol officers and a forensics team. “This outcome reflects the seriousness with which these investigations are handled and the priority placed on victim safety, dignity and offender accountability.”

Police didn’t provide further information as the case heads to court.

jruttle@postmedia.com

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