A 66-year-old man was assaulted by two men early Thursday morning while having breakfast, however a bystander and two nearby Nanaimo RCMP officers interevened. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

violent theft

66-year-old man assaulted & had phone stolen during breakfast in downtown Nanaimo

Nov 17, 2023 | 11:50 AM

NANAIMO — Local thieves didn’t make it far after trying to take advantage of a senior enjoying his breakfast.

Members of the Nanaimo RCMP Bike Unit were nearby when a 66-year-old man was assaulted and had his cell phone stolen by a pair of men outside the A&W restaurant on Victoria Cres. around 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16.

Police say a fight broke out between the 66-year-old man and two suspects, with a fourth person getting involved. Officers witnessed the incident and immediately recognized at least one person involved.

“[The senior] told officers he was having his breakfast inside the restaurant when two unknown persons walked by, snatched his cell phone, then ran for the exit,” Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien said in a statement. “He and another customer gave chase and got into a melee with the two suspects.”

The victim suffered cuts and bruises from the altercation.

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A quick arrest of one of the two known individuals followed, while a second person initially got away.

Police caught up to the second suspect a short time later and made a second arrest connected to the incident.

A 20-year-old man arrested faces an assault charge as well as a breach of court orders, while a 37-year-old man was charged with theft under $5,000.

They’re due to appear in court in mid-January.

“The investigators would like to thank the second adult whose actions undoubtedly saved the victim from further injury and allowed the police enough time to make an arrest,” O’Brien added.

The man’s phone, a green iPhone 13, was not recovered but police are optimistic of it turning up in the near future.

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