Violent Thieves Strike Hollywood Beach

Group of men beating and robbing people on Broadwalk: police

Police are looking for a group of violent thieves who have beaten and robbed people in four separate incidents on Hollywood Beach in the last month.

The most recent incident happened this past Sunday around 6 a.m. when a 76-year-old man was viciously attacked while on a morning walk on the Broadwalk.

Police say Paul Spates was in the area of 500 North Broadwalk when he was punched and kicked to the ground by two men. While Spates was on the ground, the pair kicked him in the head several times while going through his pockets before hitting him over the head with an unknown object.

The two made off with Spates' watch and house keys and left the scene on foot, leaving Spates lying on the ground with severe injuries.He is still in the hospital.

Surveillance video from a nearby business captured some of the attack.

Police said the brutal attack may be linked to three similar robberies that happened in the area in March.

The first happened around 1:45 a.m. on March 5, when a man was approached by four white males who asked him for money in the area of 600 North Broadwalk. When he told them he had none, the group pushed him down, kicked and punched him and took his wallet and $300 in cash.

Just four days later, on March 9, a man was approached by a man asking him the time shortly before 11 p.m. in the area of 1200 Hollywood Blvd. The man continued to follow the victim and was joined by two others who hit him in the back of the head and punched him before taking his cell phone and groceries.

An hour later, a woman had her purse snatched by three men and one woman in the area of 600 N. Broadwalk. The victim's male friend was also beaten and his jewelry valued at $16,000 was stolen.

Police are asking anyone with information to call Broward County CrimeStoppers at 954-493-TIPS.

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