Penticton RCMP are advising people not to intervene personally if they observe possible illegal activities.
The advisory comes following an incident involving a 68-year-old woman Saturday at Cherry Lane Shopping Centre.
Cpl. Ted Manchulenko said the woman was leaving the centre through the back door near London Drugs when she observed three young people, two males and a female, using what she believed were drugs.
“She stopped and told them to leave the area and one of the males approached her in what she felt was an agrressive fashion,” said Manchulenko. “The female sprayed the male with her water bottle and the male responded by grabbing her by the arms, pushing her up against the wall.”
The senior was apparently not injured and the two males, both dressed in camo jackets with attached camo hoodies, left southbound on BMX bicycles. The female who was with them left on foot in the same direction.
“The point I’m trying to make here is if you see actions like this taking place I would suggest people not get involved with this and if you want to get involved, contact the police,” said Manchulenko. “I mean you can observe from a safe distance but to approach people who are unknown to you at eight-o-clock at night in an area that may be dark and you’re 68 years old, may not be the best idea.”
The incident was caught on video by shopping centre cameras.