OAKLAND — A 95-year-old man was pushed to the ground and carjacked Monday afternoon in the Dimond district, authorities said.
The man suffered abrasions to his head and other parts of his body and was taken to a hospital, authorities said. A medical update on the man’s condition was not available Tuesday.
The violent encounter happened about 2:30 p.m. Monday in the 2500 block of MacArthur Boulevard.
Police said the man had just left a restaurant in the area and was walking to his 2007 Toyota minivan when a man wearing a ski mask came up on him and pushed him to the pavement.
The suspect took the keys to the vehicle and drove off. The vehicle was found just after 3 p.m. Monday, abandoned a few blocks away in the 2600 block of Montana Street, police said.
Police were seeking the suspect Tuesday. A detailed description was not released.
The owner of the restaurant, who did not want to be named, said Tuesday the man has been a daily customer for some 40 years.
The owner said the man is friendly and likes talking with other customers. “He’s family,” the owner said.
The attack has left the owner and others who knew the man angry.
“Why would anyone want to attack a 95-year-old man?” the owner asked. “It’s just ridiculous.”
Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering up to $5,000 in reward money for information leading to the arrest of the suspect. Anyone with information may call police at 510-238-3326 or Crime Stoppers at 510-777-8572.