Good Samaritan becomes mugging victim in Des Moines

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A Des Moines who may have thought he was trying to do a good deed instead became the victim of a mugging.

Des Moines police say 49-year-old James Curry was driving through an intersection Wednesday when a man waved him over and asked if he could jump-start a van.

Authorities say Curry pulled up to the man's van and was getting his cables when a man began hitting him with a baseball bat.

While the attack was going on, police say another man entered Curry's vehicle and ripped out his sound system. Police say Curry fought back, but ultimately backed away.

Authorities say as the muggers climbed back into the van, Curry heard the name of one of his attackers.

Police say two men and a woman participated in the attack. Curry did not require hospitalization.

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Information from: The Des Moines Register, http://www.desmoinesregister.com

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.