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Senior knocked down and robbed of cash in downtown Nanaimo

RCMP now asking for public’s help to try to advance investigation into incident several weeks ago
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Nanaimo RCMP are calling upon the public to help solve a robbery of a 71-year-old woman in downtown Nanaimo. (File photo)

RCMP are now asking for the public’s help to try to advance an investigation into an assault and robbery of a senior in downtown Nanaimo several weeks ago.

The incident occurred March 22 at about 5:30 p.m. in the 100 block of Commercial Street. According to a Nanaimo RCMP press release, the victim, a 71-year-old woman, was initially hesitant to report her ordeal, but later provided a statement to police.

The woman told police that after being at the casino earlier in the day, she was walking along Commercial Street when she suddenly found herself surrounded by three to four men. She said one of them pinned her arms then pushed her to the ground. She struck the sidewalk, causing bruising to her face, and her glasses fell off. Someone then reached into her coat pocket and took an envelope of cash she was carrying. The suspects, whose faces were hidden by masks or who had their shirts pulled up, ran from the scene in an unknown direction.

The victim told police she had previously withdrawn cash at a bank ATM and another ATM inside the casino and she believes that she was targeted.

The only description she could provide of the suspects was that they were men who wore dark clothing and had hoodies on.

“The victim was embarrassed and left traumatized and bruised by her ordeal,” said reserve Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, in the release. “She also realizes that she will most likely not be able to recoup her losses, but she would like to hold this group of men accountable.”

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345 and quote file No. 2022-9835.

READ ALSO: Downtown Nanaimo sushi restaurant owner traumatized by daytime robbery



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