Random assault and hate crime mar weekend in Nelson
By Nelson Daily Staff
Three people walking on a Nelson street Saturday night were attacked in what police say was apparently a random assault.
Paul Burkart, acting Sergeant with the Nelson Police Department, said the three were accosted in the 100 block of Morgan Street 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.
Second attack
A second unprovoked, random assault in Nelson has police asking for public assistance in solving what they have dubbed a hate crime.
Nelson Police Department’s Sgt. Steve Bank says three young Korean exchange students were attacked in the 200 Block of Baker Street on Saturday at about 8:30 p.m.
“Although no serious injuries were sustained in the incident, the victims are very shaken and traumatized,” Bank said. “Due to language and cultural barriers, police have very little information regarding the suspects involved, except that they were two Caucasian males.”
He said police are requesting anyone with any information about the incident to contact the Nelson Police Department.
