There have been two robberies and assaults sending Gilroy men to the hospital with severe injuries over the last 11 days.
In the most recent incident, a 22-year-old Gilroy man was treated at after an unknown suspect hit him in the head with a glass bottle, knocking him unconscious, on June 29.
The victim, who was walking near the area of Tenth Street and Orchard Drive around 10:45 p.m., Friday, awoke on the ground a few seconds later to find an adult male punching and kicking him, Gilroy Police Sgt. Chad Gallacinao said.
The victim was reportedly able to free himself from his attacker and began running eastbound on Tenth Street. A family member transported him to St. Louise, where he was treated in the emergency room for severe, but non-life threatening injuries.
Gallacinao couldn’t comment on where the victim was struck in the head or the number of times he was hit, but said there was blood on the victim and that he had bruising and abrasions to his body.
The suspect, described only as an adult male, stole the victim’s watch and wallet, containing approximately $50, during the course of the assault, Gallacinao said.
“The victim was hit from behind, so the suspect description is very vauge—just a male adult,” he said.
Police are investigating the incident in an effort to identify the suspect, determine if he acted alone and are also looking into a possible gang connection, Gallacinao said.
Prior to Friday’s incident, a 18-year-old Gilroy male was assaulted and robbed at the Wayland Lane entrance to on June 19.
The victim was walking near the park’s entrance when a silver, 2000 Toyota containing three suspects pulled into the parking lot. Two of the suspects exited the vehicle, while the third one reportedly never left.
The first suspect punched the victim in the face, forcing him to the ground, and then stole his wallet containing $200, Gallacinao said. The suspect then hopped into the vehicle along with the second suspect, who had been watching for passersby.
The teen was taken to a Bay Area trauma center following the assault. It’s not clear how many times he was hit, but it was enough to cause “severe injuries that required substantial medical treatment,” Gallacinao said.
“Because of the victims’ injuries, we’re still investing the incident and are trying to determine what matter, or matters, he was assaulted,” Gallacinao said. “At this time it wouldn’t be fair to say he was just punched once because of the severity of his injuries.”
The June 19 and 29 robberies remain under investigation, Gallacinao said.
The incidents aren't the only time victims have encountered threatening situations on Tenth Street and Las Animas Veterans Park.
On Dec 26, a 40-year-old Gilroy man during a altercation on Tenth Street. On Aug. 9, a suspect .
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