The Mission RCMP is asking for the public’s help in finding two suspects involved in an “extreme case of road rage” that sent two victims to hospital.
Police say on Sunday, Sept. 8 around 10 a.m. a 20-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman were assaulted with a baseball bat at the intersection of Bakerview Avenue and Cedar Street after they had reportedly been followed for honking at another vehicle in a Tim Hortons drive-through.
Mounties say two adults in a grey Honda Civic had honked at a black Chevrolet Malibu in front of them that did not move forward in the drive-through line-up. The Malibu exited the line-up and allegedly waited for the Civic to exit, drove up beside it and a “female occupant of the Malibu threw her coffee cup at the Civic.” The occupants of the Malibu then followed the Civic for about two kilometres.
“The occupants of the Malibu got out and assaulted both occupants of the Civic with a baseball bat, before getting back into the Malibu and driving off,” Mounties said.
The victims were taken to the hospital with “significant but non-life-threatening injuries,” according to police.
Police say the Malibu was located unoccupied later and seized.
Corporal Harrison Mohr tells 1130 NewsRadio that police are still searching for the two alleged attackers.
“We’ve all been in a drive-through situation where someone honks, and usually it’s no big deal. No one would expect to have significant aggravated assault come as a result of that, that’s why we’re especially concerned about the suspect,” he said.
Mohr says investigators have identified the two suspects but haven’t found them yet. They have released photos of the man and woman in their 30s to find them as soon as possible.
“We don’t know at this point whether the suspects may still be in Mission, they are known to travel throughout the province including in the interior and as well through Alberta and other western provinces,” he said.
RCMP were unable to provide 1130 NewsRadio with an update on the victim’s health.
Mounties recommend anyone who thinks they are involved in a road rage incident or thinks they are being followed and in danger to call 911, provide your location and description of the vehicle following you, stay on major roads, keep your doors and windows locked, stay in your vehicle and do not drive home or to your workplace.
The Mission RCMP are asking anyone with information to call 604-826-7161 and quote file 2024-10852, should you have any information about the alleged suspects.