Black Press file photo

Black Press file photo

UPDATE: Woman given new phone after hers was stolen as she helped car crash victims

Police received several calls about incident with offers to help

  • Dec. 19, 2018 12:00 a.m.

A Nanaimo woman has a brand-new phone to replace one that was stolen while she assisted with a motor vehicle collision in front of her home.

According to police, Anne Marie Behan was at home enjoying a relaxing evening, listening to some Christmas tunes at about 8 p.m. Saturday when she heard a loud crash and heard people screaming outside the front window of her home near the intersection of Wakesiah Avenue and Third Street.

Without even bothering to put on shoes or a coat, Behan ran out and started giving first aid to the injured. She placed her cell phone on the hood of a vehicle while she cradled the neck of an injured man until paramedics arrived and took him to hospital.

RELATED: One person hurt in crash in front of Nanaimo Aquatic Centre

Afterwards she realized her phone was missing and a search of the area failed to turn it up.

“I was so upset I cried for two days. My phone is my lifeline,” Behan told police.

RCMP say that within hours of releasing information about the theft, they received calls from people wanting to help.

“They all wanted to rectify a wrong,” said Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, in a press release.

A local man heard about the incident and provided Behan with a brand-new phone.

The stolen cell phone was a black LG Stylo in a mint green case. It has no data plan and is used primarily to text and make emergency calls. Anyone with information about the person who took the phone or its location is asked to call the Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at www.nanaimocrimestoppers.com or call 1-800-222-8477.


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