Nanaimo Mounties are working on the aftermath of two weekend home invasions they say were targeted but unrelated.
Police responded to the first incident at a home in the 3000 block of Uplands Drive Friday when they received a 911 call at about 6 p.m. saying four men carrying baseball bats forced their way through the front door and assaulted two men inside.
“There were three other females and a small child in the home,” said Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman. “They were not injured and were not involved in the assault.”
The two male victims of the attack did not require medical assistance.
Their assailants made off with keys to the home and a Blackberry. Police recovered the Blackberry.
“They are co-operating with us and as a result of this information, our investigators arrested two of the individuals allegedly involved in the incident on Saturday,” O’Brien said.
The suspects, 24 and 34, were released on promises to appear in Nanaimo provincial court June 26 to each face recommended charges of assault with a weapon and break and enter.
“There appears to be a prior relationship between the homeowners and the attackers and we are currently following up on that,” O’Brien said.
The second home invasion happened Sunday, shortly before 7 p.m., at a residence in the 1300 block of Townsite Road.
A panicked woman called 911 saying three men forced their way into her home and assaulted her and another man.
“Brass knuckles may have been involved and they indicated they had firearms, but none were seen,” O’Brien said.
Two men and a woman were in the home when the attack occurred.
The victims declined medical assistance.
The assailants made off with computer equipment, a cellphone and cash.
Police have identified one of the assailants and requested a warrant for his arrest.
“Both were unrelated to each other and the homes were targeted,” O’Brien said. “They were not random incidents.”
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.nanaimocrimestoppers.com.
