WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Two Nooksack residents are in custody after police say they assaulted an elderly man and stole his car during a test drive.

Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Deb Slater says deputies responded to a report of a motor vehicle theft and assault on Aldrich Road on Thursday, Oct. 22.

The 82-year-old victim told them he was selling his SUV and arranged to meet a man at Walmart for a test drive.

During the drive, the man pulled over and told the victim to get out of the car before punching him in the head repeatedly. A woman also pulled up and starting hitting and kicking the victim, who told deputies that one of the suspects also attempted to choke them.

The man proceeded to drive off in the victim’s SUV and the woman drove off in her own vehicle.

An investigation identified a 57-year-old man and 58-year-old woman as possible suspects and deputies found one of the vehicles that was reported to have left the crime scene in their driveway.

My Bellingham Now refrains from publishing suspects’ names until they have made their first court appearance or there is a public need to identify.

The two were arrested on Sunday, Oct. 25, and remain at the Whatcom County Jail without bail.