Man reports baseball bat assault in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS – A man told police he was assaulted with a baseball bat Tuesday afternoon in southwest Cedar Rapids.

Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said the 38-year-old man said at least two men confronted him near the post office at 1930 Wiley Blvd. SW. He was able to get away, and police were searching the area.

Hambin said the man told police the suspects had assaulted him previously.

A woman at the scene said she saw a group of six men walking toward the alleged victim as he was carrying several bags of groceries. Two of the men were carrying long, black objects that appeared to be made of metal.

The woman, who declined to leave her name for fear of retribution, said she called 911 when she later saw the grocery bags on the ground around the man, who appeared to have been beaten.

The victim initially requested an ambulance, but later declined treatment. Descriptions of the suspects were not immediately available. An investigation is continuing.