Mounties in Nanaimo are seeking help from the public as they search for a suspect who allegedly stole a woman’s purse before pushing her to the ground, resulting in cuts and scrapes on her hands and legs.
The incident happened just before 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, near the intersection of Townsite Road and Vancouver Avenue, where the woman was shaken up after suffering from injuries that RCMP says were minor.
The woman, 67, declined medical treatment and, when speaking with police, recalled the incident, saying she was walking along Townsite Road toward Vancouver Avenue with her husband and daughter just before the theft occurred.
“Without any warning, an unknown person approached from behind and snatched her purse with enough force to spin her around and cause her to fall to the ground,” said RCMP.
“While no one in the group saw the suspect’s face, they were able to provide a description of the clothing worn.”
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Police say the suspect, a man in his mid-20s with a slim build and average height, was wearing a green and white top, jeans, black runners with white soles and a black toque with a horizontal stripe at the time of the theft.
While officers carried out “extensive canvassing” of the area, they were unable to find any CCTV footage of the man but think he may be associated with a newer blue Honda with an “extremely dirty” back end.
Police say the woman’s purse stored her cell phone, keys, government-issued identification and credit cards, which were used to make purchases around Nanaimo within a half hour of the incident — prompting officers to visit these stores in search of surveillance video.
“Investigators…are asking the public for any help that can move the investigation forward,” added Nanaimo RCMP Const. Gary O’Brien.
Anyone with information about the incident or who has dashcam footage taken between 5:45-6 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, in the area of Townsite Road, Vancouver Avenue and Terminal Avenue, is asked to call the RCMP at (250) 754-2345.
Ethan Morneau
