OTTAWA – The 101-year-old war veteran who was tied up and robbed in his own home says he wasn’t afraid, he was just extremely angry.
“I was mad as a wasp when it happened,” says D-Day veteran Ernest Côté.
He is very pleased that police have made an arrest and laid charges in connection with the home invasion.
Police say a 59-year-old Ottawa man was arrested without incident Friday after they received a tip. He has been charged with attempted murder, robbery with violence, forcible confinement, break and enter, and using a credit card obtained by crime.
READ MORE: Police receive tips in case of 101-year-old WWII vet tied up and robbed in home
The intruder posed as a city employee to gain access to Côté’s condo, he then tied up the elderly man, put a bag over his head and robbed him.
“I understand from the police they have charged him with attempted murder — if I had not freed myself I may not be here to talk to you today,” says Côté. “I was lucky to get out of it. There are few marks on my arms and my hands from when I extracted myself, but I am okay.”
The suspect, who has not been named by police, has a court appearance scheduled for today.
Côté is a retired lieutenant colonel with the Canadian Armed Forces. In July 1945, he became the second secretary for the Department of External Affairs and in 2004 he received France’s Legion of Honour Award for his military service in France during the war.
Côté, a longtime public servant, became the assistant deputy minister to the Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources in 1955. He became the veterans affairs deputy minister in 1968 before he served as the deputy solicitor general of Canada; an office he held from 1968 to 1972 when he was appointed Canada’s Ambassador to Finland.
After speaking to Global News, Côté said he was going to enjoy a nice glass of sherry with his daughter.
“I am looking forward to having a good meal with my family for Christmas.”
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