SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A motorist who was filling his gas tank in Southeast San Diego was brutally beaten by a man who had been begging for gas money Saturday.
Police are searching for a white Ford Ranger truck with a white camper shell, and its driver, described as a heavy-set white man in his 50s with a long beard. He was last seen wearing a green camouflage coat, military boots, and an orange-and-white shirt from the Miami Dolphins or University of Miami.
The victim was in intensive care at a hospital Saturday following the attack at the Express Gas Station at 5109 Imperial Ave., just east of Euclid Avenue, San Diego Police Sgt. Ray Battrick said. The attack was reported at 2:46 a.m.
Witnesses said the suspect drove into the gas station and told the clerk he needed gas but had no money. Battrick said. The clerk rebuffed him, and the suspect went over to another fueling car and approached the woman on the passenger side.
"He said I need some money for gas, give me a dollar," Battrick said.
When the woman refused, Battrick said the suspect then went back to his car, got a crowbar, and returned to the other car where the male driver was outside filling his gas tank.
"Words were exchanged and the suspect hit him with a crowbar numerous times in the head, then got back into his car and left," Battrick said.
"It was a very vicious attack and a man sustained very serious injuries," San Diego Police Lt. Paul Rorrison said. "It appears this suspect was very angry and very deliberate in his attack."
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call San Diego Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.