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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Man Beaten, Robbed After Trying To Help

From Staff And Wire Reports

A man who said he was trying to help a woman who had neither coat nor car was robbed and beaten so badly that he needed facial surgery.

The victim, a man in his 40s, was attacked Saturday and still was hospitalized Sunday, police spokesman Dick Cottam said.

Police haven’t arrested anyone but still are investigating.

The victim was driving near Sprague and Havana about 8 a.m. when he saw a woman carrying some packages. He offered her a ride. She told him she needed to go home to grab a jacket, then she wanted to give the packages to a daughter who lived elsewhere.

The driver told police he took the woman to a duplex in the 100 block of South Pittsburg. She went inside while he waited outside. After a few minutes, a man walked out of the place and asked the driver for some help.

The driver obliged, entering the duplex only to be jumped by three men in their late 20s. They kicked him, beat him and stole cash from his wallet, Cottam said.

They continued to threaten him, so he offered money from his bank account.

The victim, the woman he had picked up and a man then drove together to a cash machine. He gave them $50.

Then he drove them somewhere on Sunset Hill, where the woman left to deliver the packages. She didn’t return, so the other man went in after her, allowing the victim to escape.

Police say they’ve had other complaints about the duplex on Pittsburg.

, DataTimes