A 32-year-old man is in police custody after an unprovoked attack at a Nanaimo mall saw him assault a patron before spitting and kicking at responding officers, according to RCMP.
On Tuesday, just after 6:30 p.m., police arrived at Country Club Mall in the north end of Nanaimo following a report that a security officer and another person were trying to restrain the suspect.
Investigators say the officer and bystander took action after the suspect allegedly punched another man and slashed his face with a razor.
“Officers arrived within minutes of the report and arrested the suspect for assault with a weapon,” RCMP said in a release. “While struggling to arrest the individual, one officer was spit in the face and others were kicked at.”
The victim, who said he didn’t know the suspect or have any interaction with him, chose not to go to hospital to be treated for his injury, which consisted of a shallow cut across the left side of his face, said police.
“Police spoke with several witnesses who indicated that prior to the assault, the suspect appeared to be acting strange and that his behaviour was causing concern for other patrons,” added RCMP.
The man, expected to appear in court Wednesday afternoon, remains in police custody and faces one charge of assault with a weapon and two charges of assault of a police officer, as well as breach of probation.
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