Man punched, kicked in robbery at BART station in Berkeley

BART trains into San Francisco delayed due to police activity. BART trains into San Francisco delayed due to police activity. Photo: Bill Hutchinson / Photo: Bill Hutchinson / Image 1 of / 17 Caption Close Man punched, kicked in robbery at BART station in Berkeley 1 / 17 Back to Gallery

A man was beaten and robbed in the parking lot of the Ashby BART station in Berkeley Thursday night, and police suspect his attackers were involved in a similar mugging that occurred nearby earlier in the evening, officials said.

Two men approached the victim from behind around 9:30 p.m. and knocked him to the ground, punching and kicking him repeatedly, according to BART police.

The robbers grabbed the victim’s backpack, wallet and watch and fled, police said. They are also suspected of committing a similar robbery nearby that was handled by Berkeley police, according to BART police.

The victim was hospitalized for facial swelling, an abrasion to his head, and pain in his hands, police said.

One of the suspects is described as black, in his 20s, 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, wearing black clothing and with shoulder-length dreadlocks, according to police.

Filipa Ioannou is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: fioannou@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @obioannoukenobi