A Manteca area tow truck driver was lured into a trap by thieves at about 6:30 Wednesday morning and attacked when he exited his truck with injuries bad enough to require treatment at Doctors Hospital.
The driver told Manteca Police officers that he had rolled up to the Austin Road exit from northbound Highway 99 when he was flagged down by a motorist asking for help.  The “stranded” motorist told the driver his vehicle had broken down near Moffat Boulevard and Austin Road on the other side of Highway 99 and that he needed assistance to get back on the road. 
The tow truck driver gave the man a ride to the area where a black 1990s, four door Honda Civic was parked.  When the driver opened the door of his truck to get out, he was immediately attacked, punched and knocked to the ground from behind by an unknown second subject. 
The driver said he was hit in the face and in the head three more times. Both men then took the man’s wallet and a silver-colored Posse Box clipboard.
Police say the first subject was described as a white male adult approximately 30.  He had blond “scraggily” hair.  He was wearing a black “Southpole” brand hooded sweatshirt and jeans and white tennis shoes.  The victim could not provide any description of the second subject.  He told officers he did not see the two men leave in the Honda, but the Honda was gone when he was able to get up off the ground.

To contact Glenn Kahl email gkahl@mantecabulletin.com.