Woman carjacked while stopping to help fellow motorists in Strathcona County

WATCH ABOVE: A 23-year-old woman was carjacked Wednesday night while stopping to help two people who flagged her down for help at a collision scene. Michel Boyer has the details. 

EDMONTON — A 23-year-old woman was carjacked in Strathcona County Wednesday night while stopping to help a couple that appeared to have been in a collision.

RCMP say the woman was driving on Highway 216 near Baseline Road when she came across a collision between a white pick-up truck and a tow truck. The woman stopped to help after being flagged down by a man and woman.

“The tow truck was rear-ended by the 2004 white Ford truck,” said Const. Chantelle Kelly.

While the 23-year-old was stopped, police say the couple forcibly took control of the woman’s car. After leaving the scene, police say the man ordered the woman out of the car. She was able to get away without physical injury, but RCMP say she is receiving services from the RCMP Victim Services Unit.

Police located the woman’s Pontiac Sunfire near Hermitage Road in Edmonton.

Investigators have since learned the white pick-up involved in the collision was stolen near 91 Street in Edmonton on Tuesday.

Officers are still working to identify the suspects, but say the man is described as Caucasian, in his late 20s, 6’0″ tall with a slim build. Police say he has short black hair and was wearing a black hat, black hoodie and jeans.

The woman is described as Caucasian, in her late 20s, about 5’5″ tall with dark red hair.

RCMP say it appears this was a crime of opportunity rather than a targeted theft.

While motorists may feel inclined to help in situations like this, Kelly says if drivers don’t feel comfortable stopping there are other ways to help.

“You could stop and roll down the window and advise that you’ll call police. Or you could perhaps drive a little ways up the road, park and call police and advise what you’ve seen,” said Kelly.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Strathcona County RCMP at 780-467-7741. Anonymous information can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.