TORONTO -- Investigators have taken the rare step of releasing photographs of a woman’s significant injuries sustained during an “unusual” home invasion in Thornhill as they search for the suspects they believe targeted the wrong address.
“The level of brutality displayed by these suspects is appalling,” York Regional Police Chief Eric Jollife said in a news release issued on Friday morning.
At around 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 11, emergency responders were called to a home on Glenbury Drive, located in the area of Centre Street and New Westminster Drive, for a reported home invasion robbery.
Upon arrival at the scene, officers located a 59-year-old woman suffering from serious injuries.
“Investigators do not have any information as to why this residence or woman would have been targeted and they believe the suspects may have had the wrong house,” police said in the news release.
Through their investigation, police learned that the victim was alone in her residence when she heard a knock at the door and answered. Two suspects then allegedly forced their way inside the home and began hitting her in the head and face with a handgun.
The woman was then forced into a bathroom while the suspects searched the home, according to officers.
The suspects fled the area in an unknown direction and the victim was then able to contact emergency officials.
The woman sustained two broken orbital bones, a broken nose, a broken jaw, a sprained thumb, a broken ankle and a concussion.
“The victim remained in hospital recovering from her very serious injuries for more than a week after the incident,” Jolliffe said. “Her family is understandably shocked and devastated, as any of us would be.”
The women's daughter said that she was devastated after seeing her mother in the hospital.
"As time has gone by, I keep thanking God she is alive, because it could have been so much worse," Karen Gill said. "Ig anyone knows anything, please come forward."
Police search for suspects in 'disturbing' incident
Insp. Ryan Hogan called the incident “disturbing” to the community.
“It’s upsetting for everyone that’s involved and it’s a traumatic experience, for both the victim, her family and anyone that lives in her community,” Hogan told CTV News Toronto on Friday.
“These injuries and the level of violence that was shown here to an innocent victim are outside the scope of what you see in like circumstances.”
Hogan said the circumstances are “outside the scope of what’s acceptable.”
Officers have described the first suspect wanted in connection with the investigation as a black male with a medium build, standing about six-feet to six-foot-one. He was seen wearing black clothing, while allegedly being armed with a black pistol.
The second suspect has been described by investigators as a black female with a light complexion, wavy black hair pulled back and was seen wearing a black coat.
The suspects were not wearing masks at the time, according to police.
Police are asking anyone who lives in or was driving in the area at the time to review any video surveillance or dash camera footage that they may have that could assist in the investigation.
“We’re appealing to all members of the community, all facets of the community, to provide us with information as to who may be responsible for this,” Hogan said.
Anyone with further information is asked to contact investigators at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6630 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
