(JOHN MCDONALD / iNFOnews.ca)

VERNON - The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP are warning the public and asking for their assistance in an ongoing investigation.

When a woman reported being threatened by a man with a firearm in a North Okanagan rural area on Aug. 28, the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP responded, according to an RCMP release issued yesterday, Oct. 13.

The RCMP are asking for the public's help in an ongoing investigation because there is a possible risk to the public and women sex workers.

So far the investigation has established that a meeting was arranged using an online website utilized by escorts and sex workers.  The woman met with a man in the area of Salmon River Rd in the North Okanagan, says Vernon North Okanagan RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk.

"The victim reported to police, that upon arriving at the agreed upon location in her own vehicle, the male suspect produced a firearm and threatened her," says Cpl. Moskaluk. "The victim was able to flee the scene unharmed."

A 36-year-old man has been arrested, however, he was released because no charges were laid.

Police are continuing the investigation and investigators are asking the public for assistance.

In order to gain additional information, the police have released the description of the male who was arrested.

The man is described as:

• Height 5’6,
• Weight 140 lbs,
• Blue eyes,
• Dirty blond hair,
• A known to be a drug user, and
• A frequent visitor to the Okanagan and Shuswap areas.

Cpl. Moskaluk says because the person of interest has been released there is a possible risk to the general public and sex workers, the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP are encouraging the public, especially escorts and sex workers, to take any measures that they deem necessary to safeguard their personal safety.

RCMP investigators are asking that anyone with information about this matter or any other similar incidents to contact the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP at 250-545-7171 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston or call 250-309-5230 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. 

News from © iNFOnews, 2017