Lost Lake Road near where the bear spray incident took place. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

scary scene

Young sisters recovering after being bear-sprayed during afternoon home invasion

Mar 15, 2022 | 9:46 AM

NANAIMO — A pair of teenage sisters are recovering after being hit with a blast of bear spray during a home invasion

Police say just before 3 p.m. on Monday, March 14 in the 5200 block of Lost Lake Rd., a person entered the unlocked home home and set off the bear spray.

Cst. Gary O’Brien said it was a brazen incident, especially because it took place in the middle of the afternoon.

He said it’s unclear if there is a link between the male suspect with a concealed face and the victims.

“This is very strange, we have seen this before, but it’s often people who are involved in the drug trade and these (girls) weren’t, these were just two young girls home for spring break,” O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW.

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Both women got away and reached a neighbours’ home before being treated by paramedics on scene.

The sisters’ parents were not home at the time.

Police Dog Services tried to track the offender after officers arrived on scene but the person couldn’t be found.

The suspect had a balaclava covering much of his face and was wearing camouflage clothing.

A hockey bag from the home was stolen, which O’Brien said was filled with electronics.

It’s not known if the suspect drove off or left on foot.

Police are asking for any security footage from Lost Lake Rd. between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m., or reports of any people or vehicles not usually in the area.

“Maybe somebody (was seen) walking into the area or a car entering the area,” O’Brien said.

If you have any information on the incident, please call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345, and quote file number 2022-8688.

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