Man pistol-whipped, robbed in West Covina

WEST COVINA -- A contractor was pistol-whipped and robbed of his gold necklace Friday while working outside a West Covina home, authorities said.
The crime took place about 1:50 p.m. in the 1200 block of East Rowland Avenue, West Covina police Lt. Marty Sevilla said.
The victim, a 52-year-old Monterey Park man, was in the driveway of a home, standing near his work truck, when he was approached by three robbers, the lieutenant said.
"One of the suspects yelled in English to take his gold necklace off," Sevilla said. The victim, who did not speak English, did not understand.
The robbers tried to forcefully take the man's necklace but he resisted, Sevilla said.
As the robbers and victim struggled, one of the robbers pulled out a small handgun and struck the contractor in the head, opening a cut, police said.
As the robber struck the man with the gun, it went off, Sevilla said. No one was struck by the gunfire.
The robbers were last seen heading eastbound on Rowland Avenue on foot, he added.
The victim declined to be hospitalized, he said.
All three robbers were described as Latino men of medium build, 5 feet 5 inches to 6 feet tall, wearing black T-shirts and baggy blue jeans.