Police say three men harassed then beat a Somali Muslim man at a San Diego restaurant. They say the man was hit with brass knuckles and a chair and the attack is being investigated as a hate crime.

San Diego police say the three white men in their 30s were at Zappy Pizza on University Avenue in the Redwood Village neighborhood when a group of Somali men and women walked in on Sunday afternoon.

Police say the men then began making degrading comments based on the group's race and religion.

An argument broke out and the fight became violent when the men hit the 20-year-old Somali man in the face with a pair of brass knuckles and in the back of the head with a chair.

Police say they arrested the three suspects after restaurant patrons helped them track the men down. The victim had cuts and bruises but refused treatment.

Two of the men were arrested for assault with a deadly weapon while the third man was arrested for battery. All three men are facing hate crime charges.

No names have been released.