Police are looking for witnesses after a man was attacked with bear spray Thursday night.
The incident happened shortly before 9 p.m. on Aug. 31. Police say a man was crossing Eighth Street at Columbia Street when a car turning left on to Eighth nearly hit him.
“The victim then hit the front of the car with his arm,” New Westminster police spokesperson Staff Sgt. Andrew Perry told the Record.
“The victim and the two males in the vehicle then started to get into a verbal altercation with each other.”
As the car pulled away, one of the men sprayed the pedestrian with bear spray, Perry said.
A bystander called police but, by the time they arrived, the suspect vehicle had driven away. The pedestrian was able to clean off the spray with water and didn’t need any medical attention, according to Perry.
“He was able to treat himself at the time with some water,” he added.
Now investigators are looking into the incident to determine whether or not charges are warranted. The first step, Perry said, is to find other witnesses who may have further information about the incident.
Police have very limited information to share right now, he said, adding the only description available of the suspects’ car is that it was a white, four-door car.
Anyone who may have been in the area at the time is asked to call the New Westminster Police Department at 604-525-5411.
