Man beaten, car stolen after giving ride to stranger

A man was beaten and had his car stolen Saturday morning after giving a stranger a ride to a party, Richland County Sheriff’s deputies say.

The victim picked up an unknown suspect at a gas station on Monticello Road late Friday night or early Saturday morning, according to the sheriff’s department.

The victim gave the stranger a ride to a party, and when the victim said he was ready to leave, the suspect and several other unknown suspects attacked the man, the sheriff’s department said. The victim fled, but the suspects stole his car.

Deputies found the vehicle in a ditch on Buckner Road just before 12:30 a.m.

The victim was treated at a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The sheriff’s department continues to investigate the incident. Anyone with information may call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.

This story was originally published May 21, 2016 at 10:50 AM with the headline "Man beaten, car stolen after giving ride to stranger."