YARMOUTH, N.S. -- Police say a 17-year-old girl faced a series of horrific assaults that ended with her seeking refuge in a Nova Scotia convenience store, bleeding and screaming for help.

RCMP say the girl was punched, dragged by her hair and had water poured down her throat at various Yarmouth-area locations on Friday.

They say five people, including at least three young women, have been arrested after a probe that began when the teen escaped and went screaming to the store.

An investigation determined the teenager had been picked up "on a pretense" in a blue Hyundai Tucson by a female, but three people were in the back of the SUV unbeknownst to the victim, and they started to hit and punch her in the head.

The vehicle drove to a nearby community and she was further assaulted, dragged out of the vehicle, thrown to the ground and kicked and punched in the head.

They drove to a number of other locations, and the owner of a dog tried to get it to attack her, water was poured over her face and down her throat, and she was dragged to the vehicle by her hair.

At about 8 p.m., they ended up at a convenience store on Highway 3 when the victim, who had been between two people in the backseat, was able to flee and run into the store.

"She was bleeding, had several injuries to her face and hands, and was screaming. Staff at the store called 911 for assistance. Police and paramedics attended the scene and the victim was transported to hospital," police said in a release.

Three people have been charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon, while two other suspects were arrested on Monday.

"This was a targeted incident and the victim and suspects were known to one another," said the Mounties, who are asking for the public to come forward with any information.