Nanaimo RCMP report a man was beaten after he mistakenly put trash into a strangers car at a south Nanaimo gas station in late April. (Nanaimo RCMP)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

COSTLY MISTAKE

Stray garbage sparks gas station assault on highway south of Nanaimo

Jun 3, 2020 | 10:19 AM

NANAIMO — A man stopping to purchase lottery tickets wound up in hospital following a late night altercation with a stranger at a highway gas station.

Police said the man stopped with a friend at the Gas N Go convenience store on Morden Rd. around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 25.

On his way into the store, the man noticed a piece of trash on the ground and mistakenly put it in the back of another truck.

“This appeared to irate a passenger that was in that car,” Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW. “He got out and proceeded to punch the man several times in the face.”

The man suffered serious injuries to his face and was taken to hospital in Nanaimo for a suspected broken nose.

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O’Brien said the man admitted he made a mistake in placing the trash in the truck, thinking it was his friend’s vehicle.

“He admitted to us it was a mistake on his part, he didn’t realize he was putting it into a stranger’s vehicle. Nevertheless, the reaction to that was completely inappropriate and unacceptable and this person has to be held accountable.”

O’Brien added the police waited until security camera footage was available to ask the public for help.

The suspect is described as 25-35 years old, heavy set with dark hair and a beard.

If anyone has any information on the incident, they’re encouraged to contact the Nanaimo RCMP detachment at 250-754-2345.

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