Pepper-sprayed patron at Vernon Rec Centre

VERNON – A man was peppered-sprayed in the changeroom at the Vernon Recreation Complex Wednesday night and police are still searching for a suspect.

Staff called RCMP at roughly 9:15 p.m. Nov. 26 to report the incident. When Mounties came to investigate, they were told the suspect ran out the back door of the complex. As a precaution, all swimmers were evacuated out of the pool. An officer helped decontaminate the 19-year-old victim.

A police service dog was brought to the scene to help locate the suspect but was unsuccessful.

The investigation continues.

Anyone with information can contact the Vernon RCMP detachment at 250-545-7171.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.