Red Deer RCMP have recovered the van that was stolen during an assault and carjacking on Monday.
RCMP received a report at 9 p.m. on Tuesday from an alert citizen who recognized the stolen van from earlier media coverage after seeing it parked on Reinholt Avenue. At the time of its recovery, the van bore a different Alberta licence plate, which was confirmed stolen out of Red Deer.
At around 7 a.m. on Monday, the two suspects had approached a man in his van in the parking lot of Johnstone Plaza on 67th Street. They had a friendly conversation before eventually asking for a ride, claiming they were late for work. When the victim dropped them off in the area of 67th Street and 67th Avenue, the suspects assaulted him, took his wallet, cell phone and keys, and drove away in his van.
One of the suspects displayed a large knife but did not use it during the assault, and the other wielded what is believed to be a baton or pry bar. The victim suffered a hard blow to the head and other facial injuries; he was treated by Emergency Services responders at the scene, taken to the hospital for further treatment, then released.
The first suspect is described as Caucasian 20-25 years old, short brown hair, slim build, acne on his face and a noticeable scar or injury on the left side of his nose. He was wearing a black hat with black sunglasses on the brim, a grey hooded sweater, blue jeans and white shoes.
The second suspect is described as aboriginal, 25-30 years old, short dark hair, medium build, tattoo on his left cheek, wearing a dark hooded sweater, dark pants and red shoes.
RCMP continue their investigation.