One man suffered head injuries when he was beaten during a home invasion in north Nanaimo Tuesday.
The incident happened at about 1:20 a.m. when three men allegedly broke into a home on Malibu Terrace and used a bar bell to strike a 23-year-old man several times in the back of the head.
The assailants then sped off in a white, four-door sedan. The victim did not get a licence plate number.
When police arrived, they found the victim bleeding from cuts to his head. He was treated at the scene by paramedics.
Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, said the victim's girlfriend and grandfather, who were in the home at the time of the attack, were not injured. The attack appeared to be directed solely at the victim, who is known to police, O'Brien said.
The victim allegedly claimed not to know his attackers, but O'Brien said police are investigating the possibility of a prior relationship between the parties involved and a possible connection to the drug trade.
"The victim has been less than forthcoming," O'Brien said.