Man attacked with knife during Gary robbery

A man was attacked with a knife during a robbery Thursday evening in northwest Indiana.

The 27-year-old victim was walking near 15th Avenue and King Drive in Gary, Ind., about 7:25 p.m. when a male suspect approached and asked him for a cigarette, according to a statement from Gary police. When the man said he didn’t smoke, the suspect tried to take his backpack.

During a struggle over the backpack, the suspect produced a knife and attacked the man, police said. He then ran off eastbound with the backpack.

The victim was taken to Methodist Hospital Northlake in Gary, where he was treated for injuries to his arms, police said.

The suspect was wearing black jeans, black hooded sweatshirt, and red and black Nike shoes, according to police.

Anyone with information should call the Gary Police Violent Crimes Division at (219) 881-1210.