Cops: Homeless man beaten during attempted robbery

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- Police are investigating after a homeless man was assaulted during a suspected robbery attempt on New Year's Eve.

Just before midnight, police responded to the area of Ivy Street and Shelton Ave. after a caller reported a man being robbed.

Upon arrival, police and EMT's from the Fire Department found a crowd gathered around an unconscious man who had been severely beaten in the head.

A witness told police that he'd heard a commotion, stepped outside and saw three young black men on top of the victim, Raymond Coleman, of New Haven. The witness said he heard one man say, "he ain't got no money." The witness said he then yelled, "what are you guys doing?" The suspects then fled the scene on foot.

The suspects are described as being brown-complexioned men between the ages of 18 and 21. Each was thin and approximately 5'8"-5'9". Two of them wore black and the third wore a grey coat.

The area was canvassed, but the suspects have not yet been apprehended.

When police went to notify Coleman's sister of the incident, she informed them that he was homeless and had recently been assaulted, some time around Thanksgiving.

Anyone with information is asked to call the New Haven Police Department at 203-946-6304 or 203-946-6316.