Nanaimo RCMP searching for man, vehicle after assault, attempted abduction

Mounties in Nanaimo say a young woman is recovering from her injuries after she was assaulted by a stranger who then attempted to force her into his vehicle on Thursday evening.

Police are now searching for the man who was driving a newer model silver-grey Mitsubishi Outlander SUV with an Alberta licence plate.

The incident happened at approximately 7 p.m. in the 6900-block of Dickinson Road, near Max Bennett Pioneer Park.

Police say the woman was walking along Dickinson Road after getting off a transit bus. She noticed a vehicle "making strange turns" before approaching her, police said Friday.

An unknown man got out of the SUV and asked the woman for directions, according to police.

While she was looking up the directions on her phone, the man swung a blunt object, striking her in the head, police said.

The woman fought back and then ran to the nearest home. Police say the man followed her on foot before getting back in his vehicle and driving northbound.

Residents of the home phoned 911. The RCMP attended the scene and say the woman sustained injuries to her upper body consistent with an assault.

The victim later went to the hospital for treatment of her injuries, which police described as non-life-threatening.