A heartless thief pummeled a 43-year-old man with a metal pole and then stole his wristwatch in the Mission district Wednesday.

The robbery occurred around 7:40 p.m. in the area of 16th Street and Julian Avenue, which is near a BART station, police said.

The suspect fled after striking the victim. The victim, whose injuries were not life threatening, refused medical treatment, police said.

There have been no arrests.

maldax@sfexaminer.com

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