Officer injured during traffic stop in Penticton

The RCMP in British Columbia is asking for the public's help after an officer in Penticton was allegedly assaulted during a traffic stop early Monday morning.

The Mounties say the officer was dealing with a vehicle in an alleyway at about 12:30 a.m. when a car that wasn't related to the traffic stop backed into the vehicle that had been pulled over.

Police say the car then pulled forward, striking the officer and side swiping a marked police vehicle before fleeing.

The driver of the vehicle that was pulled over was not injured, but the police officer was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police say investigators believe the car involved in the incident was reported stolen on Saturday in Kelowna and it was found at about 7 a.m. by Osoyoos RCMP after a vehicle fire was reported.

They say a pickup truck that was also reported stolen was found at a nearby motel, and they are asking anyone who has information about these incidents to contact them or to call Crime Stoppers.