Nanaimo RCMP are appealing to the public for surveillance or dash cam footage from Saturday, Oct. 12 of a woman being severely beaten with a pipe. (File photo/Nanaimo RCMP)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

unprovoked assault

Woman severely beaten with pipe in unprovoked downtown Nanaimo assault

Oct 16, 2019 | 5:05 AM

NANAIMO — A woman leaving her hotel was savagely assaulted by a man wielding a pipe over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Nanaimo RCMP said the 28-year-old woman had just left the Dorchester Hotel on Church St. around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12 when a large man suddenly ran up to her and beat her with the pipe.

Cst. Gary O’Brien said the victim believed the man was trying to steal her purse.

She suffered significant but not life-threatening injuries as she fought the man off.

After the struggle the man ran to a waiting GMC pickup truck a few blocks away on Front St. and drove away.

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“It’s very bold, it’s very risky, it’s very strange and not something we often see in our community,” O’Brien said.

Despite the suspect seeming to be waiting for the woman to leave the Dorchester Hotel, O’Brien said investigators at this time don’t believe there’s a connection between the two.

The woman refused to go to hospital after the assault but was treated at the scene.

The suspect is white and heavy set with a beard. He was wearing dark clothing at the time.

Police are now looking for surveillance or dash cam footage from the area taken between 7 and 7:45 p.m. on Oct. 12 to help track the suspect.

Anyone with information is urged to call Nanaimo RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

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