NEW HAVEN -- Police are investigating an assault on an elderly man by a group of young men.
According to authorities, the 79-year-old man was attacked by what he described as five young black men in the area of Bradley Street and Whitney Avenue Friday night around 6:30 p.m. The victim, who is a Yale professor, more specifically said one of the attackers was on a bicycle, while a second was obese.
The victim was walking on Hillhouse Avenue and saw the group. They then caught up to the victim as he turned onto Bradley Street, and he was hit from behind. He was then punched, kicked and thrown to the ground. He lost consciousness and when he woke up, his wallet and backpack were missing, according to police.
He was able to make it home, where his wife saw that he was injured and called for help. He was taken to the hospital and treated for his injuries, which were considered minor. He has since been released.
"This is a particularly heinous crime obviously because of his age, and because he was so close to home," said New Haven Police Officer David Hartman.
Yale University Police Chief Ronnell Higgins confirmed in a letter to students and staff that the victim was a faculty member.
A witness told police he saw the group, but did not realize the man was being assaulted until the group took off and he saw the victim on the ground.
Police say the victim's wallet was found, and they are looking at surveillance video in the area to try and identify the suspects.
Officer Hartman said, "We all have family members about that age and we can't help but think that these are just callous individuals that would perpetrate a crime like this."
If you have any information or saw anything, please call 203-946-6304.
