Police have apprehended a man who assaulted a woman and then attempted to force her into his vehicle this week in Nanaimo.
Nanaimo RCMP arrested Bradley Dylan Boscariol and charged him with Assault with a Weapon and Attempt to Kidnap. Boscariol is currently in police custody and has been remanded until Monday.
The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on Thursday in the 6900 block of Dickinson Road, near Max Bennett Pioneer Park.
Boscariol tried to capture a woman in her early 20s. She managed to fight off the suspect and run to a nearby home where the occupants called 911, according to the RCMP.
Police attended and spoke with the woman who had injuries to her upper body consistent with being assaulted.
According to investigators, the young woman stated that she was walking along Dickinson Road after being dropped off by an RDN transit bus when she noticed a vehicle making strange turns.
Seconds later, a vehicle approached and an unknown man got out and asked her for directions. While she looked them up on her phone, he swung a blunt object at her, striking her in the head.
She fought back, then ran to the closest home. While Boscariol allegedly followed her on foot for a short distance, he then got back in his vehicle and drove northbound on Dickinson Crossing.
The woman later attended the Nanaimo hospital for treatment of her non-life threatening injuries. A search was done by police throughout the area but they were unable to locate the suspect or his vehicle.
Police shared that the investigation into the attempted abduction, which utilized extensive resources and specialized units within the Nanaimo detachment, was a priority.
“This incident outraged the community and our officers as well. The investigators were highly motivated to ensure justice was promptly carried out and that the person responsible was found and held accountable,” said Constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP in a press release.
The investigation moved forward quickly, primarily due to the excellent detailed description of the suspect vehicle provided by the young woman.
Investigative techniques and police databases quickly focussed in on the suspect vehicle and its location. With the cooperation of the Ladysmith RCMP, at approximately 6p.m. on Friday, Boscariol was arrested in the suspect vehicle and taken into police custody.
On Saturday, search warrants in support of the investigation were carried out at a residence and the vehicle associated to the accused.
“Having an individual arrested for this incident and in police custody within 24 hours, must be reassuring to the citizens of Nanaimo. Our investigators would also like extend their sincerest appreciation to the general public for their cooperation and assistance with this file, and to the very courageous and tough young lady who stood strong when faced with real adversity. In our books, she’s a rock star," added O’Brien.
Police will be moving forward with their investigation and once again are asking for the public’s assistance.
Just prior to the attack, the woman told police she recalls seeing a black SUV with three male occupants drive slowly past her. When last seen, this vehicle had turned right from Dickinson Road onto Schook Road. Secondly, during the attack, the woman lost her brown leather backpack. A search of the scene and surrounding area proved negative for the item.
Police are asking if anyone has information on the SUV or backpack, to please call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345, and quote file # 2022-9074.
