Red Deer RCMP are looking for two men who assaulted and robbed a man and stole his van after he gave them a ride on Sunday morning.

At around 7 a.m. on May 14th, two male suspects approached the man in the parking lot of Johnstone Plaza on 67th St.; 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 St. and 67th Ave., 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, then released.

The first suspect is described as Caucasian, between 20-25 years old with short brown hair and a slim build. He had acne on his face and a noticeable scar or injury on the left side of his nose. He was 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, between 25-30 years old with short dark hair and a medium build. He had a tattoo on his left cheek and was 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.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the Red Deer RCMP at 403-343-5575. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or report it online at www.tipsubmit.com.

– Fawcett