Teen charged with drugging Alberton senior prior to robbery

RCMP on P.E.I. have charged a teenager in connection with a theft from a senior in Alberton late last year.

West Prince RCMP believe the youth delivered a coffee containing a sedative to an 82-year-old senior in his home Dec.21.

That elderly man was then robbed by Allan Joseph Gallant, 45, of Alberton.

In February, Gallant was sentenced to two years less a day in jail after he pleaded guilty to a series of thefts, including stealing $800 from the Alberton senior.

At that sentencing, court heard Gallant had arranged for a teenager to deliver the drugged coffee to the senior. Gallantsaid he was stealing to pay off a debt to his drug dealer.

Three days in hospital

Toxicology testing determined the 82-year-old had been given benzodiazeprine, which was not one of his prescriptions.

The senior told investigators that after drinkingthe coffee he woke up to find Gallant removing his wallet from his pants.

The victim spent three days in hospital after the incident.

Cst. Alan McGrath of West Prince RCMP saidthe community was extremely helpful with their investigation.

"There were a number of eyewitnesses who helped us to establish a timeline of events,"McGrath said.He said police don't believe anyone else was involved in the theft.

The youth will appear in court at a later date.