Man seeking ‘encounter’ at Sahali motel assaulted, robbed

Feb 1, 2023 | 4:24 PM

KAMLOOPS — RCMP are warning the public after a Kamloops man was duped into a motel room robbery over the weekend.

In a news release, detachment spokesperson Cpl. Crystal Evelyn says the man had arranged “an encounter” with someone in a motel room in the 500-block of Columbia Street West on Sunday (Jan. 29) at about 8:30 a.m. Arrangements had been made online.

When the man got there, he was instead met by two men. The men used a weapon to assault the victim before taking his wallet and phone.

After the incident, the men fled on foot southbound.

“The fact that this online interaction in of itself had a criminal nature, further increased the risk to the robbery victim and makes these types of offences very serious in nature,” said Evelyn. “This was a dangerous scenario that could have ended much worse, which is why we are reminding the public to be wary of what services they are purchasing online, and the risks attached.”