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EXCLUSIVE: Man Claims He Was Attacked By Group Of Teens In South Philadelphia

By Matt Rivers

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Police are searching for a group of teens who a man claims attacked him in South Philadelphia.

The alleged incident happened around 6pm Friday near 20th Street and Oregon Avenue.

The man, who asked not to be identified over fears of retaliation, tells Eyewitness News he had parked his van there, got out, but forgot his wallet and had to turn back. That's when, he says, a group of teenagers charged at him, pinned him down on the sidewalk and began beating him.

"They just bum-rushed me, hit me, stomped me, kicked me in my head," he says. "I was trying to protect myself. I was trying to stay alive. I was doing my best to protect myself. I was nervous, scared."

He says eventually a passerby came over to help and the group scattered.

The man did suffer minor injuries. He says all he wanted to do was get some groceries before heading home for the night.

"It's a question of whether you're in the wrong place at the wrong time," he says. "It can happen anywhere."

The alleged victim believes his attack was random.

So far, no suspects have been identified, but police were trying to locate surveillance video of the alleged attack.

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