Employees of a Dollarama store in downtown Nanaimo were assaulted when they confronted an alleged shoplifter last week.
The incident happened shortly before 4 p.m. Thursday and involved a suspect who allegedly stole items before he was confronted by the assistant manager and another employee, according to Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman.
The suspect punched one of the women in the face, then produced a set of silver brass knuckles and fled, O'Brien added.
The suspect is Caucasian, in his 20s, 5-foot-8, and was wearing a blue plaid jacket, a dark hat and has a distinctive black tattoo on his neck.
"We are reviewing the video surveillance, but he has not been identified to date," said O'Brien.
Staff at the Dollarama store were unable to provide comment about the incident.
Anyone with information about the suspect, please call the Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, text 274637 with keyword Nanaimo, or submit a tip online at www.nanaimocrimestoppers.com.