May 17/17 - Thanks to a tip from the public, Red Deer RCMP recovered the van that was stolen during an assault and carjacking on May 14.

RCMP received a report at 9 pm on May 16 from a citizen who recognized the stolen van from the earlier media coverage after seeing it parked on Reinholt Avenue. At the time of its recovery, the van bore a different Alberta license plate, which was confirmed stolen out of Red Deer.

RCMP thank the public for their vigilance in reporting suspicious vehicles and activities, and continue their investigation into the carjacking and their search for the two male suspects.

If you have information about this investigation, contact the Red Deer RCMP at 403-343-5575. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or report it online at www.tipsubmit.com. If your information leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward up to $2,000.

Red Deer RCMP is looking for two men who assaulted and robbed a man and stole his van after he gave them a ride the morning of May 14.

At around 7 am on May 14, two male suspects approached the man in the parking lot of Johnstone Plaza on 67 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, and 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
• 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

The van is a light brown 1997 Safari van with the Alberta license plate BWW 5421. It has not been recovered yet.

Red Deer RCMP continue to investigate. If you have information about this investigation, contact the Red Deer RCMP at 403-343-5575.

If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or report it online at www.tipsubmit.com. If your information leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward up to $2,000.