(ADAM PROSKIW / iNFOnews.ca)
March 20, 2018 - 9:10 AM
LUMBY - Police in the North Okanagan are investigating a robbery after a good samaritan was assaulted and had his truck stolen.
Vernon North Okanagan RCMP spokesperson Const. Kelly Brett says in a news release that just before 6 p.m. on March 17, police received a report of a man who had allegedly been bear-sprayed after he stopped to check on a vehicle that was in the ditch in the 4050 block of Highway 6 in Lumby.
When officers arrived they found a 35-year-old man in distress who was suffering from the effects of bear spray.
The man told police he stopped roadside to check on a lone driver standing near a yellow cube van, because he thought the man's vehicle had broken down. After speaking with the suspect, the victim was bear-sprayed and the suspect allegedly fled in the victim's silver Dodge pickup truck.
"It is unfortunate that a simple act of kindness is turned into a violent act for this particular victim who stopped to check on a fellow motorist," Brett says. "Although this incident may not have been targeted, this is not a common occurrence here in the North Okanagan."
The victim suffered minor injuries and was treated by B.C. Ambulance.
Witnesses say another vehicle and suspects may have been involved in this incident and police are actively investigating, Brett says. The silver Dodge was later located near Highway 6 and School Road in Lavington.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Lumby RCMP at 250-547-9044 or Crime Stoppers at 1 800-222-8477.
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