Vernon man on mobility scooter assaulted after trying to navigate sidewalk

Vernon Mounties are investigating an altercation that left a man his 60s with "visible non-life-threatening injuries."

Mounties said in a press release the injured party was travelling on a mobility scooter in the 3000 block of 30 Avenue Sept. 22 at approximately 9:30 a.m., in Vernon when he attempted to manoeuvre around a bicycle that was blocking the sidewalk.

As the man on the mobility scooter attempted to pass by the bicycle, the cyclist started yelling that he was not to be on the sidewalk.

The cyclist allegedly blocked the path of the scooter, grabbed the man knocked him to the ground and assaulted him. A member of the public intervened and the man on the mobility scooter was able to leave the area, RCMP said.

"The disturbance drew the attention of the public who immediately contacted police. Our frontline officers attended to the scene but were unable to locate the individual on the mobility scooter," Cpl. Tania Finn, Media Relations Officer with the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP said in the press release. "Fortunately, once he returned home, police were contacted to advise of the incident."

The entire incident was captured on video surveillance which greatly assisted investigators with identifying the suspect who was arrested for assault causing bodily harm. The man on the mobility scooter sustained visible non-life-threatening injuries and is resting at home.

A 39-year-old man of no fixed address remains in custody in order to appear in court.

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