PENTICTON, B.C. – The RCMP in British Columbia is asking for the public’s help after an officer in Penticton was allegedly assaulted during a traffic stop early Monday morning.

The Mounties say the officer was dealing with a vehicle in an alleyway at about 12:30 a.m. when a car that wasn’t related to the traffic stop backed into the vehicle that had been pulled over.

Police say the car then pulled forward, striking the officer and side swiping a marked police vehicle before fleeing.

The driver of the vehicle that was pulled over was not injured, but the police officer was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police say investigators believe the car involved in the incident was reported stolen on Saturday in Kelowna and it was found at about 7 a.m. by Osoyoos RCMP after a vehicle fire was reported.

They say a pickup truck that was also reported stolen was found at a nearby motel, and they are asking anyone who has information about these incidents to contact them or to call Crime Stoppers.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 28, 2020.