2 Rob and Beat Orange Businessman

ORANGE —  A 58-year-old man was robbed and beaten by two assailants Saturday morning as he prepared to open his downtown business.

Police said the two men took $2,000 in cash from Arsa Riston about 8:20 a.m., then pistol-whipped and kicked him outside the Universal Electric Motor Co. at Collins Avenue and Cypress Street.

Riston told police that the robbery and beating took place as several motorists passed by. But they either did not see the incident or did not stop to help.

“We’re hearing more and more of that these days,” Police Sgt. Bob Green said. “People just don’t want to get involved.”

Police said Riston suffered jaw and nose injuries but was not taken to a hospital. Green said the victim was carrying a large amount of money because he intended to purchase equipment for his business later in the day.

It was not known whether Riston was a random target for the robbery or whether the bandits were aware that the businessman was carrying the cash.

The suspects were described as black men in their mid-20s, about 6 feet tall and weighing 200 pounds. They fled in a blue Buick Regal.