Girl, 17, assaulted after stopping to help stranded driver west of Edmonton: RCMP
RCMP west of Edmonton are warning drivers not to stop for stranded motorists after a teen was assaulted after she stopped to help someone late last week.
At around 9:30 p.m. Friday, a 17-year-old girl was driving on Parkland Drive in Parkland County — west of Stony Plain — and had turned onto Range Road 20 when she noticed a truck parked on the side of the road.
The truck’s lights were flashing and a man was standing in the middle of the road, trying to flag someone down for help, the RCMP said in a news release Tuesday afternoon.
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The teen pulled over and got out of her vehicle to help the man. Police said the man grabbed the girl by the shoulders. He then punched the girl in the face several times, causing her to fall to the ground, RCMP said.
As this was happening, another vehicle turned onto the range road. The male suspect then got back in his vehicle and drove off, police said.
“The youth was left laying on the ground as the other vehicle drove by,” RCMP said.
Const. Shelley Nasheim with Stony Plain RCMP said the girl suffered a laceration to her cheek and was absolutely distraught.
Officers believe the man was attempting to steal the girl’s vehicle.
Police are now searching for a suspect, who is described as taller than six feet with stubble on his face and large nose that was red in colour. He was wearing a black jacket at the time.
The vehicle is described as a black or dark-coloured long-box truck.
RCMP are urging motorists not to stop for drivers who appear to be stranded on the side of the road.
“The RCMP would like to remind the public to exercise caution when you observe someone in distress on the side of the road,” police said.
“Note their location, pull over in a safe place once you’ve passed and call your local police detachment.”
Anyone with information about the assault is asked to contact the Stony Plain RCMP detachment at 780-968-7267. Anonymous information can be submitted via Crime Stoppers online or at 1-800-222-8477.
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