Man Robbed of Beer Has Brain Surgery

A man who declined medical attention after being assaulted and robbed of beer early Saturday morning in La Mesa underwent emergency brain surgery Monday, La Mesa police Lt. Dan Willis said Tuesday.

The victim, 43, left a 7-Eleven store on the 5500 block of Jackson Drive after purchasing beer when two men across the street near Rigoberto's Taco Shop  approached him.

The suspects, described as in their late teens or early 20s, punched and kicked the victim shortly before 2 a.m. and robbed him only of his beer, Willis said.

The victim initially noticed only minor injuries, but on Sunday, he complained of significant head pain and was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital.

It was learned he had severe brain trauma, and after surgery, he remained in the hospital Wednesday in a stable but unspecified condition.

La Mesa police is checking with local businesses, searching for surveillance footage.

One suspect was wearing a baseball cap and red shirt, but there is no other detailed physical description.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the La Mesa Police Department at (619) 667-1400 or the Crime Stoppers' anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477.

Crime Stoppers is offering an up to $1,000 reward for anyone with information that leads to a felony rest.

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