San Diego
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A bandit knocked an elderly Southeast San Diego couple unconscious with a sledgehammer Thursday morning, then robbed their home, police said.
John William Bankhead, 74, who lives in the 300 block of S. 35th Street, was hit on the back of the head as he entered his house from the back yard at about 7 a.m., said police spokesman Bill Robinson.
His wife, Donaretha, 72, was also beaten on the head with what police believe was a 2-foot, 10-pound sledgehammer while she was in bed sleeping. Police found her in a pool of blood.
Paramedics rushed her to UC San Diego Medical Center’s trauma unit. She was reported in stable condition Friday. John Bankhead refused hospitalization and was treated at the scene.
Neighbors reported seeing a man, who is believed to have worked for Bankhead, running from the house. Bankhead operates a cement business part time.
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