Bizarre bear-spray attack apparently random
By Castlegar Source
Three people walking on a Nelson street in the wee hours of May 1were attacked in what police say was apparently a random assault.
Paul Burkart, acting Sergeant with the Nelson Police Department, said the three were accosted by two males who jumped out of a car.
“Two of the victims managed to elude their pursuers without injury, however the third man was sprayed with bear spray,” Burkart said. “The bear-spray victim managed to jump a nearby guardrail to safety.”
He said a passerby found the victim and contacted police, who in turn found the perpetrators’ vehicle and took the four occupants into custody. Meanwhile, the victim was transported to hospital.
Two males from Cranbrook were identified as the alleged assailants, and both were arrested. One was released until he goes to court in July, facing Assault and Assault with a Weapon charges.
The other man, however, remains in custody after lying to police about his identity.
Burkhart said police discovered the man was already on bail for a similar attack, and has an “extensive criminal record”. Police say the attack appears to have been totally random.
