Merced man stabbed, robbed

Six men who concealed their faces with red bandannas stabbed, beat and robbed a 58-year-old Merced man Tuesday morning in a West 16th Street alley, the Police Department reported.

The victim apparently did not realize he’d been stabbed when he was attacked about 3:30 a.m. in the 1000 block of West 16th Street, just east of R Street, Sgt. Bobby Chapman said.

The victim told police he was walking with two bicycles when a silver four-door pickup truck pulled up next to him and two people got out, demanding his bicycles.

“He said the bikes belonged to his children and said he wouldn’t give them up,” Chapman said. “So four more guys got out of the truck and started beating and kicking him in the body and the head.”

All six men were described as wearing dark clothing and had red bandannas covering their faces. At least three of the six men were described as “husky,” police said.

The victim walked to his home several miles away and his wife called police. Officers found him with minor cuts and bruises to his head, but said he was bleeding profusely from his back.

“He said he didn’t remember being stabbed, but it was very obvious,” Chapman said.

Police described the victim’s injury as a one-inch puncture wound and laceration to his upper back and not life-threatening.

This story was originally published December 23, 2014 at 3:27 PM with the headline "Merced man stabbed, robbed."