Jogger punched in the face, robbed of iPod during late night run

Three men assaulted and robbed an 18-year-old Glendale man who was jogging alone Wednesday night in La Crescenta, officials said.

The jogger was running home about 10 p.m. on Ramsdell and Encinal avenues when a black BMW pulled up next to him and its passengers asked for directions, Sgt. Ray Harley of the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station said in a statement.

As he helped with directions, Harley said they asked to borrow his cell phone. But the jogger didn’t have one, so the three suspects exited the car and chased him down, at which point

they punched him several times on the face as he tried to block the blows.

One of the men stole the jogger’s iPod, Harley said.

The trio immediately returned to the BMW and fled west on Encinal Avenue.

The jogger suffered only scratches.

The thieves were described as 20 to 25 years old, 5 foot 8 inches tall to 5 foot 10 inches tall and were 170 to 190 pounds. They also wore dark-colored hooded sweatshirt jackets.

Anyone with details about the robbery may call the Robbery unit at (818) 278-3464, or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.