Rare motorcycle stolen in violent Nanaimo home invasion

A man was tied up, beaten and robbed by two men, one of whom had a gun, during a violent home invasion in Nanaimo on Monday morning.

A search is underway for the two people behind the attack.

Nanaimo RCMP said the 31-year-old victim answered a knock at his Beverly Drive home around 7 a.m.

Two men he did not know pushed their way into the home. One man brandished a handgun. Both men assaulted the victim for several minutes, said Nanaimo RCMP spokesman Const. Gary O’Brien.

The man was tied up and a covering was placed over his head. The two men stole a television and a motorcycle.

After his attackers fled, the victim freed himself and called 911.

The man’s facial injuries were treated by B.C. Ambulance paramedics.

Nanaimo RCMP spokesman Const. Gary O’Brien said a third person might have been involved in the home invasion, as the suspects were heard talking to a woman on a hand-held radio.

Investigators believe the incident was targeted, but have not been able to establish a motive, he said.

One of the attackers was described as Caucasian with a thin build and wearing black and blue striped earmuffs, a dark blue or black hoodie and white basketball shoes.

The other man was described as Caucasian, between five-feet10 and five-feet-11 inches tall and about 220 pounds. He was wearing blue jeans.

The stolen motorcycle is a black 2006 Kawasaki Ninja. The victim told police the bike is unique, with only two of its kind in Nanaimo.

Anyone with information about the home invasion is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP at 250754-2345 or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at nanaimocrimestoppers.com, text 275637, keyword Nanaimo or call 1-800-222-8477.