The manager of a north Nanaimo business was sent to hospital after approaching an alleged shoplifter in the evening of Nov. 23. (Nanaimo RCMP)

By Ian Holmes

Violent attack

Nanaimo department store manager sent to hospital after disturbing assault

Nov 25, 2019 | 7:30 AM

NANAIMO — RCMP are investigating a violent assault against a store manager in the parking lot of Nanaimo North Town Centre.

Cst. Gary O’Brien said on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 5:45 p.m. the manager and a loss prevention officer approached an alleged shoplifter, when the suspect swung a bag containing several bottles.

“The manager was taken to hospital with a very serious but non-life threatening injury and the alleged shoplifter took off on foot and we did not locate him later that night.”

The suspect was last seen running toward Lowes.

The manager was bleeding profusely from the head and lost consciousness prior to going to hospital, O’Brien said.

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While police aren’t releasing where the incident occurred, NanaimoNewsNOW confirmed it took place outside Canadian Tire.

The suspect is white, between 35 and 40-years-old with a slim build and standing between 5’7” and 5’9”.

O’Brien said these kinds of confrontations involving employees and alleged shoplifters occasionally turn violent.

He said both workers in this latest incident behaved professionally and could not have foreseen the suspect’s actions.

“It’s quite a volatile situation that employees get themselves into because you don’t know what type of reaction you will receive. In this one it escalated so quickly.”

Anybody with information is asked to contact Nanaimo RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com
On Twitter: @reporterholmes