Man Assaulted On Highway On-Ramp

By Bay City News Service

A man was assaulted at gunpoint on a highway on-ramp in Contra Costa County this afternoon during an attempted robbery, sheriff's officials said.

Shortly before 1 p.m., deputies responded to the Interstate Highway 680 on-ramp at Arthur Road in Pacheco on reports of an attempted robbery.

A driver had pulled over to the side of the road and exited the vehicle to retrieve something from the passenger side.

A man approached the motorist and brandished a gun. The victim grabbed the handgun in an attempt to defend himself and a shot was fired during the ensuing struggle, sheriff's officials said.
         
The bullet shattered one of the vehicle's windows and the suspect ran away.

The victim was taken to a hospital for minor injuries and was later released.
         
Deputies, assisted by the California Highway Patrol and the Martinez Police Department, established a perimeter and a K-9 unit was brought in to help search for the suspect.

The suspect was not located. He was described as a white man, about 45 years old, between 5 feet 8 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a medium build, shoulder length black hair and a black goatee.
         
He was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, faded blue jeans and white tennis shoes.
         
Anyone with information is urged to call the sheriff's tip line at (866) 846-3592.