Four Canadian visitors were robbed and beaten on Sunday night as they walked along South Road in Warwick.

Police spokesman Dwayne Caines said the women, ranging in age from 32 to 42, were walking near Camp Road at about 9.30 p.m. when one of them noticed someone walking behind them.

He said the women moved to the side to let the man pass as he appeared to be walking faster than them.

?Instead the man grabbed a purse from one woman, knocked another over and punched a second victim about the body,? he said.

A member of the public came to their rescue but the suspect ran away towards Chaplin Bay.

Police immediately searched the surrounding area but could not find him.

Mr. Caines said the suspect is described as a brown-skinned man, about six-feet tall and was wearing a white, long-sleeved shirt and a white baseball cap with a logo on the front. He said the suspect is believed to be in his 30s.

The women were taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment where one was treated for grazes to her forehead, leg and arms before being released.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the incident, or anyone with information, to contact P.c. Arthur Dill on 295-0011.