Homeless Man Pistol-Whipped In Golden Gate Park Mugging
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - A homeless man was attacked and his belongings set on fire late Thursday night in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, a police spokesman said.
Police are still looking for four suspects who hit the victim in the head with a gun and cut him on the cheek with a knife when he refused to hand over money, San Francisco police Officer Albie Esparza said.
The suspects approached the victim, a 50-year-old man, just before midnight near Transverse Drive, Esparza said.
The first suspect demanded money from the victim. When the victim refused, the suspect hit him in the head with a gun.
A second suspect then stabbed him, resulting in lacerations on the victim's cheek, Esparza said.
Two other suspects, a man and woman, then set the victim's tent on fire. The fire damaged the victim's belongings but did not require fire department assistance, Esparza said.
It's unclear if the suspects were also transients.
Esparza said the victim checked himself in to a University of California, San Francisco medical center, and hospital staff called police.
The victim was treated for his injuries, which are not considered life-threatening.
Police are asking anyone with information about the attack to call (415) 575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411.
The first suspect was described as a Hispanic man between 25 and 30 years old who is 5 feet 9 inches tall and 150 pounds. He was wearing a red baseball cap, dark coat and other dark clothing.
The second suspect is a white man with long blond hair who was wearing a loose-fitting white tank top.
Detailed descriptions were not available for the other two suspects.
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