West Shore RCMP said they are looking for public assistance to help find the suspect in a carjacking last month in Langford.
Dramatic footage from the carjacking was released on Thursday in an ongoing effort to catch the thief.
“We want to engage the public in helping us locate this individual,” said Cst. Nancy Saggar of West Shore RCMP. “This is a very disturbing crime to have happened, it’s very traumatic for the person who was involved but it’s also dangerous.”
The video shows the suspect opening the victim’s car door and grabbing him by the shoulders, throwing him out of his vehicle and onto the ground. The suspect drove away and almost ran over the victim.
The victim sustained minor injuries to his wrist, elbow and hip and was transported to hospital. The incident took place in the parking lot near McDonald’s on Millstream Road in Langford.
READ MORE: WATCH: Dramatic video of Langford carjacking
Saggar said the victim’s vehicle was recovered on Princess Avenue in Nanaimo on Dec. 23.
The 52-year-old male victim is physically recovered at this point, Saggar said.
“Obviously this is a disturbing incident to have happen…he is shaken by this,” Saggar said.
Saggar said the search for the suspect has now broadened to other communities on the Island since the vehicle was found so far away. She said West Shore RCMP is working with other detachments and police departments to find him.
“We are confident we’ll do everything we can to locate this individual,” Saggar said. “We will continue to investigate this and the file will stay open.”
READ MORE: West Shore RCMP continue to investigate Langford carjacking
The suspect is described as a 30- to 40-year-old Caucasian man standing 5’7″ and 160 lbs. At the time of the robbery, he was wearing a black jacket, white pants, beige boots and a black toque.
Saggar said it is believed the carjacking was an isolated incident as police do not have any other reports of this nature. She does not believe the public is at risk.
However, Saggar said, anyone who finds themselves in a situation where they are waiting in their car at night should make sure their doors are locked.
“If someone comes knocking on your window and you don’t know who it is do not open your window, do not open your door. Call us,” Saggar said. “Vet this person and make sure they have a reason to come up to your car, especially at this late time of night.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264. To remain anonymous contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or online at victoriacrimestoppers.ca.
shalu.mehta@goldstreamgazette.com
