Elderly Man Selling Newspapers Attacked

A elderly man selling the New Haven Register on a Dixwell Avenue street corner was attacked and robbed Sunday afternoon, according to police.

At about noon Sunday Hamden Police got a report of a street robbery in the area of Dixwell Avenue and Morse Street, according to police spokesman Capt. Ronald Smith.

Officers, led by Officer Derick Manning, learned that three people riding bicycles had approached the 70-year-old man who was selling the daily New Haven newspaper and repeatedly struck him in the face, knocking him to the ground, Smith said.

"The individuals, who threatened to shoot the victim, stole an undisclosed amount of money from him," Smith said. "He suffered injuries to his face and leg. Hamden Fire Rescue responded to provided medical assistance."

The three suspects are described as teen-aged black males, one with hair braids and all wearing gym shorts and baseball hats, Smith said. They fled on their bicycles towards the Farmington Canal Line, he said. Hamden Police search the area but couldn't find anything. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hamden Police Department Detective Division at (203) 230-4040.