Police in Winnipeg issued an emergency signal after a woman living with dementia was abducted early Saturday morning in what police called a “completely accidental incident”.
Police said it was reported that 63-year-old Sandra McLaughlin had been in the back of a 2012 Jeep Patriot son who was parked at a gas station on Block 3600 on Portage Avenue. As the jeep was parked, police said a man approached and stole it shortly before 2 a.m.
Video surveillance shows a man approaching the jeep, getting on the passenger’s side and sliding to the driver’s seat. Police said a family member who was driving the car with Sandra was seen approaching and trying to stop the theft, but the jeep was moving away.
“It is possible that the person who took the vehicle did not know that it was in this vehicle,” said Const. Jay Murray of the Winnipeg Police Department. “It’s early, she really lives with dementia, so it’s possible she’s still in the back of this vehicle. We just don’t know right now.”
Police said Sandra McLaughlin, 63, was reportedly in the back seat of a 2012 blue Jeep Patriot that was parked at a gas station on Block 3600 on Portage Avenue. (Delivered: Winnipeg Police Department)
Police said the jeep, which has a Manitoba registration number KXR 852, was last seen heading west on Portage Avenue to the Perimeter Highway.
Police said the jeep had a large dent in the driver’s door and steel wheels that were slightly rusty.
Winnipeg police issued an emergency call Saturday morning to Winnipeg and southwestern Manitoba, asking people to be vigilant and call 911 if they see anything. Murray said police hoped the public could help provide information.
“We ask everyone to be careful about this vehicle, please be careful about Sandra and be aware of the accident.
Winnipeg police issued an emergency call shortly after 11 a.m. on June 4, 2022, for 63-year-old Sandra McLaughlin, who was abducted early Saturday morning. (Source: CTV News Winnipeg)
Murray said it was unclear whether the vehicle continued west on the Trans-Canadian highway or veered off the perimeter.
“This is something we are still trying to establish as the investigation progresses,” Murray said.
Winnipeg police issued a silver signal for McLaughlin. A silver alert is issued when a missing vulnerable adult is reported. Murray said the fact that McLaughlin was living with dementia added to the seriousness of the situation, as she may not be aware of what happened and may not be able to call police on her own.
He said that while car theft is quite common in Winnipeg, it is unusual for someone to be inside the vehicle when it is stolen.
“This is an unusual incident. We have nothing to show that these countries know each other,” Murray said. “At this point, it seems to be a completely accidental incident and a crime of opportunity.”
Police are now asking the public for help in finding McLaughlin, who has dementia. She is described as five feet and seven with a larger physique and long black and white hair. Police said she was wearing a gray hood.
Murray said the ultimate goal is to get McLaughlin safely home, but police also want information on the vehicle and the suspects.
Police said the suspect was described as about six feet tall, with dark hair. He was seen in a gray jacket, dark shorts, a hood with white lettering, sandals and white gloves.
UPDATE: Following is a video of the abduction. If you have any information to share, please contact investigators at 204-986-6250. pic.twitter.com/zLtcMfPg6Q
– Winnipeg Police (@wpgpolice) June 4, 2022
Speaking at a news conference Saturday morning, Murray urged the suspect to do the right thing.
“First and foremost, leave it in safe hands, whether it’s a police station or a fire department with staff, or contact the police,” he said. “Our main goal is her safe return. Everything else comes second.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or the Winnipeg Missing Persons Division at 204-986-6250 or the Serious Crimes Division at 204-986-6219.
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