Skateboarder Assaulted in Durham
Durham, NH - June 19, 2007 - Original story by Thomas R. Kessler in Foster's Daily Democrat.
A 21-year-old University of New Hampshire student was beaten and robbed by three men on Oyster River Road, near the intersection with Hoitt Drive, Monday afternoon.
Police say the male victim was skateboarding alone at around 3:50 p.m., when he was approached from behind by three college-aged white males who pushed him to the ground. One of the suspects then grabbed the skateboard and began hitting him with it.
"At one point, one of the suspects brandished a small pocket knife and demanded money," said Deputy Police Chief Rene Kelley.
The victim gave the suspects a small amount of cash he had on him, police said, before they fled in the direction of Mill Road. A state police K-9 unit was called to the scene and traced the suspects' trail to the area of Forest Park, a UNH housing development for graduate students and young faculty, before the scent was lost.
Kelley would not say if the suspects are believed to be residents or visitors at Forest Park, but did say that is part of the ongoing investigation.
The victim, who received superficial face and body wounds as a result of the attack, was treated at the scene by members of McGregor Memorial EMS and refused a trip to the hospital. He did not recognize any of the assailants, police said.
The three suspects are described as college-aged, white males of average height and build.
Two were wearing jeans, one was wearing shorts, and one was wearing a black T-shirt, police said.
Anyone with information pertaining to the crime can call the Durham Police Department at 862-2324.
