A tow truck driver says he was violently assaulted in New Bedford.

The incident was reported Thursday morning by the driver, who told police he was towing a vehicle on Hathaway Road before 6am when a car approached him from behind and flashed its headlights. The tow truck driver, thinking the operator of the car was the owner of the vehicle being towed, pulled over and got out of the truck. He told police the passenger in the following car got out and punched him, knocking him to the ground. The tow truck operator said the assailant rifled through his pockets, taking cash, a set of house keys, and paperwork.

The attacker is described as a black man, about 6'2' tall with a scruffy beard, wearing a dark hoodie and jeans.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to leave an anonymous tip with New Bedford Police at 508-992-7463 or email tip@newbedfordpd.com.

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