The RCMP is investigating an alleged home invasion that occurred Sunday night in Portage la Prairie.

Police say in a release, officers were called to a Willow Bay residence around 10:23 p.m. Sunday. Three unidentified suspects reportedly assaulted residents with bear spray and stole items from the home, then fled on foot before police were called. Police Dog Services were deployed to try and locate those responsible, but the search didn't yield any results.

"Until we are able to identify the suspects in the matter we can't say for certain that this wasn't a targeted incident," says Portage la Prairie RCMP Const. Sean O'Keefe. "We want to believe Portage la Prairie is a safe, secure community, but incidents such as these can occur. We want to make sure everyone else is keeping safe. So keeping your doors locked, making sure your home is well-lit, those things go a long way to preventing incidents such as this."

Investigators are asking that anyone with information regarding this incident contact the Portage la Prairie RCMP at 204-857-4445, or their local police detachment. Anonymous tips can be made through Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) and www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

"We would very much appreciate the cooperation of the community in trying to identify these suspects," adds O'Keefe. "If we're able to capture these people and bring them to justice, it makes our community safer for everybody."