BLOOMFIELD -- A 62-year-old man was beaten with a crowbar by a complete stranger who allegedly took issue with the man's Donald Trump T-shirt, police said Tuesday.

The man was walking on West Passaic Avenue at about 5:41 p.m. last Wednesday when a man he did not know pulled up in an older gray compact car, Bloomfield police said.

The driver questioned the 62-year-old about the Donald Trump shirt he was wearing, and then followed him into the parking lot of the Friendly's restaurant on Broad Street, police said.

"The motorist inquired why (the man) was wearing the shirt, directing profanities at him," Bloomfield Police spokesman Ralph Marotti said. "The (victim) continued to walk away as (the) motorist followed him."

The man then got out of his car with a crowbar, and during an altercation, struck the older man several times, authorities said.

The man suffered injuries to his arms, hands, and thighs, police said. He was treated at the scene, police said. The attacker fled the scene before police arrived, officials said.

Witnesses in the parking lot told police they saw the alleged attack, as well, authorities said. The description of the attacker, however, was vague.

Police said the man believes the T-shirt sparked the initial contact and prompted the altercation. Authorities are investigating.

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.