Police are looking for three white males after a man was beaten, tied up and robbed Thursday morning in Newton, authorities said.

The men may be driving the victim’s 1988 black Chevrolet Silverado with four-wheel drive, with the license plate No. WRP-9112, Maj. Coy Reid with the Catawba County Sheriff’s Department said.

Rowland Clay, a 61-year-old mechanic, was working in his garage at his home at 1827 St. James Church Road when three white males wearing dark clothing and ski masks jumped him, Reid said.. They immediately hit him in the head with a hard object, possibly a hammer.  The attack began about 6:30 a.m. as the men beat his head and face “badly,” Reid said.  The victim said at least one of the men had a pistol and they threatened his life.

Reid said the men used zip ties to hold Clay’s hands behind his back and then wrapped rope around his body securing him to the pole under the car lift in his garage.  The men beat him in the face again and took his wallet and the money inside it.  Reid said the physical abuse continued for about 50 minutes, though not continuously.  The robbers also destroyed his phone up so he couldn’t call for help.

The men then went into the house and ransacked Clay’s home, pulling out drawers and flinging his belongings around the room.  Meanwhile Clay was able to get loose using a pocketknife in his pocket to cut the rope.  A few moments later he heard his truck driving away.

After the men left, Reid said Clay walked to the street, 80 yards, and flagged down a passerby who called the police about 7:30 a.m.

Clay was transported to Catawba Valley Medical Center.  The extent of his injuries are unknown at this time.

It is unknown whether the men targeted Clay specifically.

“It was a typical ransack of a house,” Reid said.  “They were looking for anything they could find.”

Police do not believe the attack was gang-related. Reid said the area is usually a very quiet rural neighborhood. He said Clay lived alone, which may have made him a target.  Reid said Clay did not know his attackers.

It is unknown how much money was taken or what items were stolen from the house.

Reid said when the men are caught, they will face charges of armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, kidnapping, breaking and entering and larceny of a vehicle.

Anyone with information should contact that Catawba County Sheriff’s Department at (828) 464-5241.