By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Elderly man, grandson punched and robbed in Bowen Park

Oct 6, 2017 | 9:19 AM

NANAIMO — RCMP say a casual walk in Bowen Park for a man and his grandson ended with a completely random attack.

Cst. Gary O’Brien said it happened on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 5:30 p.m. on a trail along the Millstone River, just north of the volleyball courts and picnic tables.

He said the elderly man went off the trail to urinate behind a bush.

“Suddenly without any provocation this guy walks towards him punched him in the face then punched his grandson in the face as well,” O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW. “It knocked the 71-year-old to the ground, knocked his eyeglasses and his hat off.”

O’Brien said the suspect stole the hat and glasses, described as a brown San Diego Zoo cap and brown Gucci eyeglasses, and walked away.

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He said the grandfather required several stitches to close a cut on his lower lip, while the grandson wasn’t badly hurt.

O’Brien theorized the attack may have been a message sent for urinating in the park.

“It could possibly involve a homeless person or somebody who was camping in the park and was taking exception to the fact that the people were walking through the park, that’s just one theory we’re working on.”

The attacker is described as white with blonde hair. He was wearing a brown jacket and brown pants. O’Brien noted the suspect was with a woman who had black hair and brown clothes. She was not part of the attack.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 or anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

island-news@jpbg.ca

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