Police are still following up on tips from the public they hope will help close the case on an abduction attempt last week.
The incident happened Thursday at about 7 p.m. when a woman, 44, stopped her older model Ford Escort at a red light at Brechin Road and the old Island Highway. A late-1990s Ford F-150 with no canopy pulled up beside her and its driver yelled something at her. The woman ignored him, but when she continued north on the highway the truck followed her with its driver blowing the truck's horn and flashing its lights.
Thinking there could be a problem with her car, the woman pulled into the slow lane just north of Rock City Plaza. The man then pulled his truck in front of her to force her to stop.
The suspect got out, walked up to her car and told her he wanted to take her out for a coffee. She ignored him, but when she started rolling up her window he grabbed her arm and tried to pull her out of the car. She powered up her window and sped off, breaking the suspect's grip on her arm, then raced north before turning onto Rutherford and Metral Drive. The truck did not appear to follow her and she called 911 when she got home.
The victim suffered bruising and emotional trauma from the encounter and police are still looking for the suspect.
The suspect is Caucasian, in his 40s, described as good looking with an athletic build, pale complexion, light colour eyes, has a cleft in his chin, a white scar-like mark on the bridge of his nose and was clean shaven. He has salt-and-pepper hair, military-style haircut, and a high pitched voice like a teenager's. He wore a T-shirt bearing a dragon symbol and a watch with a metal band on his left wrist.
"We are receiving tips from the public since the broadcast of the [police composite sketch of the suspect] and the [photo] of the truck and we are actively following up on those leads," said Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman.
Anyone with information about the incident or suspect, please contact the Const. Sean Zeigler at 250-754-2345, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.nanaimocrimestoppers.com.