Police are investigating an assault and attempted abduction after a man tried to drag a woman into a van.

Shortly after 8 p.m. last night, a 22-year-old woman was walking along Prince Albert Street in the area of East 10th Avenue when she was approached from behind and grabbed by a stranger. The man wrapped his arms around the woman and dragged her to a dark green, older model van. The man hit the woman in the head and face with an unknown object as he attempted to drag her inside the vehicle. She fought him off, causing him to fall back into the van and giving her a chance to escape. She ran to a nearby residence where she called 9-1-1 and waited for police to arrive.

Police conducted a search of the area but were unable to locate the van or the alleged attacker.

The woman was treated in hospital for minor physical injuries, but she has suffered significant emotional distress as a result of the incident.

The man was described as white, in his 30s, 6 feet tall, wearing a dark hoodie and gloves. He was driving a dark green minivan.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Vancouver Police Sex Crimes Unit at (604) 717-0600 or Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-8477.