Nanaimo RCMP says three incidents that happened in a 24-hour period are similar and believe they’re connected.
The incidents occurred on Apr. 29 between the hours of midnight and 6:30 p.m., in central Nanaimo, and they currently have no leads.
They add three people were assaulted using bear spray, a metal baton, and a knife and believe two of the victims were unhoused, while the other is a local businessman.
The first incident occurred roughly around midnight when a homeless man and police say he and a woman were approached by two unknown people wearing dark clothing.
A media report says the victim was hit with bear spray then struck with a metal baton and sustained a broken arm.
The second incident was reported to have happened around 6:30 p.m. after the owner of a local chiropractic service chased two youths out of his business for yelling obscenities.
Police say, while the owner chased the kids away one turned around and hit him in the face with bear spray.
The third incident occurred at 2600 Labieux Road, when police responded to a call of a man lying on the ground with a knife wound and suffering from the effects of bear spray.
The victim said, three people were involved in the incident, but due to what they were wearing he couldn’t get a full description.
“They were wearing dark clothing, balaclavas, and they may have had brown skin,” the report says.
Reserve constable Gary O’Brien says he believes there is a connection, but the investigation is still ongoing.
“These incidents are all disturbing given the randomness of each and the violence involved,” he says. “Given the ages of the suspects, the description provided by the victims and weapons used, it appears all three attacks may have been carried out by the same individuals.”
All three victims were taken to Nanaimo hospital for treatment.
If anyone has information on the attacks, they are asked to call Nanaimo RCMP’s non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.
