An incident in downtown Nanaimo on Wednesday, September 6th, initially believed to be a purse snatching, has taken a different turn.
It has now been revealed that the altercation that occurred involved a group of people, not a theft.
Despite the change in circumstances, the incident resulted in a stabbing, leading to the arrest of a suspect who is now in police custody.
The incident took place at approximately 9:30 a.m. in the 100 block of Victoria Crescent.
Witnesses provided valuable information, including a description of the suspect, who fled on foot after the altercation escalated, culminating in the stabbing.
Approximately 20 minutes later, Nanaimo RCMP located and arrested the suspect near the Port Place Mall without further incident.
The injured person was found near the scene of the altercation and received immediate medical attention from paramedics. The victim was subsequently transported to Nanaimo Hospital for treatment of their injuries.
According to a person who wishes to remain anonymous, the suspect was confronted over an alleged theft of a purse that happened a few days before.
The current condition of the victim has not been disclosed. The suspect, an adult man in his 30s, remains in police custody.
He was arrested on charges of Assault Causing Bodily Harm in connection with the stabbing. Police are continuing their search for the knife used in the incident.
