RCMP look for suspect in targeted Claresholm, Alta., home invasion

Five days after a home invasion that left a Claresholm town councillor bruised and stunned, police have released a sketch of the suspect.

Police say a man forced his way into a home on 51st Avenue East in the southern Alberta town, which is about 130 kilometres south of Calgary, just after 9 p.m. on Saturday.

"The homeowner opened the door and the male forced his way inside and assaulted the female victim with the door while making verbal comments. The encounter was brief and the male fled on foot.The victim suffered some facial injuries," Claresholm RCMP said in a release Thursday.

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Coun. Donna Courage told CBC News she was assaultedaround 9:15 p.m. on Saturday.

"They just broke into my front door, pushed me against the wall, held my neck and said 'keep quiet and leave town,'" she said on Wednesday.

The attack, which happened in about 20 seconds, left her "stunned and unprepared," she said.

Courage was elected to council last October. She previously served as president of the ClaresholmandDistrict Chamber of Commerce.

Police described the suspect as white, tall, heavy-set, between 35 and 40 years of age with no facial hair, a round face and light coloured eyes. He was wearing a black jacket and black toque.

RCMP say they believe the attack was targeted, "but will not offer speculation as to the reason."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Claresholm RCMP at 403-625-4445, local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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