VANCOUVER -- Police in Nanaimo say they are investigating a disturbing incident in which a person experiencing homelessness was run over and pepper-sprayed in the city. The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. Saturday on Victoria Avenue near 102nd Street, Nanaimo RCMP said in a news release. Police said they received "numerous reports from independent witnesses" that the male victim was pushing a shopping cart along Victoria Avenue when a black car with several people inside pulled up and stopped next to him. "The victim and those in the vehicle exchanged words, and then the driver of the suspect vehicle reportedly sped up and drove over the man, knocking him to the ground," police said in their release.