Elderly woman fends off violent home invader in West Kelowna

WEST KELOWNA – An 85-year-old woman is doing okay after struggling with an attacker for 20 minutes during a violent home invasion in the early hours, Sunday, Oct. 25.

West Kelowna RCMP aren’t naming the woman, who managed to escape and call 911 at her neighbour’s house in the 2300-block of Butt Road. The suspect demanded pain medication, jewellry and money but fled with the woman’s wallet, containing credit cards and $200 cash. The woman sustained minor injuries.

But they are naming the suspect in her attack, Benjamin Duane Barnhart, 24, of West Kelowna who is facing multiple charges relating to the incident. Police say the victim confronted Barnhart after he broke through a kitchen window. He tried to gag and restrain the woman but she got free.

RCMP spokesperson Const. Jesse O’Donaghey said during a press conference today, Nov. 13, a police dog failed to track Barnhart, who was later arrested after going on a shopping spree with the victim’s stolen credit cards at Superstore, Tim Hortons and London Drugs.

“Upon review of the business’ video surveillance footage, investigators were able to positively identify the suspect,” he said.

West Kelowna RCMP went to Barnhart’s house the following day and arrested him without incident while recovering some of the victim’s possessions.

He is facing a charge of break and enter, three counts of fraudlent use of a credit card, commit and indictable offence with his face masked, possession of stolen property, uttering a forged document or cheque and possession of methamphetamine.

%%embed1%%

To contact the reporter for this story, email John McDonald at jmcdonald@infonews.ca or call 250-808-0143. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.