Search Continues For Suspect Who Beat Canadian In Palm Desert

Police continued their search today for a man who struck a Canadian tourist three times in the head with a hammer during a carjacking and robbery behind a Palm Desert eatery.

Brian McDonald -- who won a bronze medal in 2000 for sailing in the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney -- was struck about 6 p.m. Sunday in the parking lot behind the .

McDonald, who lost his legs in an industrial accident, said he was parking when the suspect approached his vehicle, but the victim believed the man to be a valet and asked him if he could park there.

When the stranger said yes, McDonald said he parked and got out of the car and into his wheelchair.

“I look up and there is a guy holding a hammer and it’s the same guy, but now he’s wild,” McDonald told a group of reporters at the Palm Desert sheriff's station.

"He said: `Give me your keys. Give me your wallet,' at the top of his voice too. He was out of control,'' McDonald said.

See a full video of McDonald, who was treated at a local hospital, describing the ordeal .

The suspect should be considered dangerous, according to Deputy Herlinda Valenzuela of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. He was described as a white, between 20 to 25 years old, about 5 feet 10 inches tall, under 200 pounds, with brown short hair and no facial hair. The man was last seen wearing a grey t-shirt with dark shorts.

A $10,000 reward has been offered for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspect, she said.

Anyone with information about the suspect was asked to call police at 760-836-1676. Callers can remain anonymous by calling Valley Crime Stoppers
at 760-341-7867.