A young woman was abducted and beaten in Maple Ridge this weekend, after coming to the aid of a man supposedly in distress.

The abduction happened outside the woman’s place of work at Westgate Mall at about 8 p.m. on Saturday.

In a rouse, a man approached this young woman pleading for help to get his car started.

Agreeing to help, she followed him, and was accosted.

He produced a weapon and forced her to drive her own car a short distance away, where she was subsequently beaten, explained Ridge Meadows RCMP Insp. David Fleugel.

Fighting off her attacker, she managed to escape to a nearby home, where police were called, Fleugel said. She was later taken to hospital and was treated for extensive but not life-threatening injuries.

Meanwhile, the assailant fled in the victim’s car. Her car was found abandoned about an hour later just a short distance away in a rural area of Maple Ridge.

“This is a very serious incident, and our serious crimes unit is fully engaged in the investigation,” Fleugel said.

“Here is a good citizen offering to do the right thing and help a person who is needing some assistance. This suspect took full advantage of this, and committed this very unusual crime.”

Police are asking residents to be extra vigilant, and noted they’re unaware of any other such violent and brazen attacks in this community or surrounding areas in recent days or weeks.

“We are looking for anyone with any information regarding this incident to call police. If you observed a man in a red 1993 Honda Civic in the area of Blackstock and 203rd streets, between 126nd Avenue and Walnut Crescent, from 8 to 9 p.m. this past Saturday night, we need to hear from you.”

The assailant is described in his 20s, standing about 5 foot 9 to 10 inches in height, and weighing between 180 and 200 pounds. He has a dark complexion, medium build, and had a few days of facial stubble at the time of the attack.

He was also wearing a white T-shirt, black puffy jacket, dark blue jeans, white and black shoes, and a black toque.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Ridge Meadows RCMP at 604-463-6251, or to remain anonymous, they can call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or leave a tip online at www.solvecrime.ca.

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