One block from my house.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/...80902.html

Pregnant woman assaulted in Ottawa home invasion

Last Updated: Tuesday, September 2, 2008 | 8:22 AM ET Comments28Recommend12CBC News
A pregnant woman was punched and hit in the face with a shotgun butt during a violent home invasion by five masked men in Ottawa's west end early Monday, police said.

The 18-year-old woman received minor injuries during the attack at a home on Poulin Avenue in the Britannia neighbourhood shortly after midnight, said an Ottawa police news release.

"It seemed to be some kind of an organized attack," said Staff Sgt. Don Sweet. "Whether it's gang related, that's too early to determine."

The five men were allegedly armed with shotguns and a handgun. They entered the home through an unlocked screen door at the back of the home and demanded money from the family.

The woman and her boyfriend who lived in the home and did not want to be identified told CBC News that they refused to hand over their money because they were saving it for their baby.

The men left the home with about $25.

Police are looking for five men in their late teens or early 20s of Middle Eastern descent, at least some of whom speak English with a foreign accent.

The home invasion has shaken local residents in the neighbourhood. It took place just a short distance from the bike path where the body of 39-year-old Pamela Kosmack was found in June.

Neighbours exercising caution
Maureen Conlin, who lives in a neighbouring apartment building, said she has been checking the doors of the building each night to make sure they are locked.

She said lately "there's been nothing but problems" with crime in the public housing complex where she lives and the surrounding neighbourhood.

"You keep wanting to let the councillors know and the city or whatever, and they don't really do anything about it," she said, "like they don't seem to have a concern for the tenants around here."

Cliff Richards, who had been in a car driving nearby shortly after the home invasion, said police did seem to be taking that incident seriously.

Police pulled over a car carrying Richards and his young friends, pointed a gun at them and handcuffed them after mistaking them for suspects in the attack.

But Richards said he wasn't upset about the situation.

"With the stuff that's been going down in the neighbourhood right now, they were just protecting themselves," he said. "It's understandable."

Be careful

erin what the hell???

I dunno....I think I may just have to move.

I swear to God my comfort level had just returned. This creeps me the fuck out again.

This is horrible. Be careful love.

That sucks!

I would want to move to.
The fact they had guns creeps me out.

Im sorry Erin. Thats so scary

Take Care

damn... what the hell is going on?


Be careful

erin, it seems to me that these people knew their victims/the victims knew their assailants.

Move!

Stay safe Erin

Scary Be safe, Erin.

And I thought Oakland was bad with 100+ murders every year (we have 400k residents, so, it's pretty fuckin' bad...)

but DAMN!

horatio said:

Ya, most likely. I think it happened in an area closer to the main drag in the area - and I think it's subsidized housing up there.

But still...I can't help but revert back to being nervous at night again.

Attempted break in to my place, 2 murders (one literally across the street), an accidental death (on my street) and a home invasion (next street over) all within 3 months is a lot to deal with.

This is not common activity for this area....but I guess you can't say that anymore.

The house next door to me is for sale. That may not stop people trying to get in your house, but at least it's likely me.

You need to move Be safe Erin

Sorry to read this Erin but just because it happened close by doesnt mean its going to happen to you , dont fall into a victim mentality and I dont mean that as a negative

Damn.



It's stories like these that make me wish we lived in a world with superheros. could take care of scum like these guys.

Of course, with superheros comes supervillians.

Pochacco said:

I'm not saying that I think it will happen to me as well...but taking into account all the things that have happened in the last few months (incuding one that involved me directly)...it’s about being comfortable...and I just can't seem to get fully comfortable again.

That's the problem.
[Edited 9/2/08 10:22am]

Sounds like it's time to either move or buy a gun.

Guns dont solve problems , they make them

Pochacco said:

It doesn't even matter because

1) I'd never, ever own a gun and
2) handguns are illegal in this country

move...

But I don't want to give up what it's like during the day. I love the family atmosphere, I love the beach, I love the parks, I love the location.



This really sucks.

JustErin said:

fuck that Erin...the location and parks and all that don't mean shit if you and Miles aren't safe...get the fuck out...

Solution:

Leave envelope with $25 on the doorstep...then they won't come in to bother you....

Seems so obvious....



In all seriousness Erin...time to move....get the FUCK out, vamoose....exit stage left even.....

Still can't fucking spell edit!!
[Edited 9/2/08 11:00am]

Again? This is awful! Keep safe Erin!!!

I've started looking for a new place...