RCMP are seeking the public’s help in identifying several suspects after a 71-year-old woman was assaulted and robbed downtown Nanaimo in March.
Nanaimo RCMP said the victim was initially hesitant to report her ordeal. However, she has now decided to do so and provided a statement to police.
At approximately 5:30 p.m. on March 22nd, the woman was surrounded by three or four men as she walked along Commercial Street, shortly after leaving a casino.
According to the woman, one of the men pinned her arms and pushed her to the ground where she struck the sidewalk with the left side of her face.
The impact bruised her face and caused her glasses to fall off.
The suspects, whose faces were hidden by a mask or their shirts pulled up, then reached into her coat pocket and took the envelope of cash she was carrying before running off in an unknown direction.
The victim told officers she believed the attack was targeted, as she had previously withdrawn cash from the TD bank and an additional amount from an ATM inside the casino.
The only description she could provide of the suspects were that they were men wearing dark clothing and had hoodies on.
“The victim was embarrassed and left traumatized and bruised by her ordeal,” said Constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
“She also realizes that she will most likely not be able to recoup her losses but she would like to hold this group of men accountable for their actions.”
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Nanaimo RCMP at (250) 754-2345.
