Two suspects posing as Amazon delivery drivers brutally beat an elderly Georgia man after he opened the door expecting a package to arrive at his Savannah home.
George ‘Dick’ Hardison, 66, heard a knock on his door early Saturday morning, but when he opened the door, two men posing as Amazon delivery people forced their way in and hit the older man with “some kind of sledgehammer,” according to a report. report from the Savannah Police Department.
The disguised “Amazon workers” wore the e-commerce company’s signature blue and black jackets, covered their faces and even carried a package as they walked into Hardison’s home on Price Street around 8 a.m.
The two men allegedly once demanded money at Hardison’s home before nearly beating him to death.
Hardison, a bartender at O’Connell’s Pub, just a mile from his home, was beaten so badly that he was sent to a nearby hospital, where he had fourteen staples inserted into his head.
According to the police report, the brutal attack lasted almost eight minutes.
Surveillance footage from the home showed the two suspects leaving Hardison’s home with the same package they walked up with. It is unclear what exactly was in the box.
In the footage, Hardison can be heard screaming for help as the two hooded victims quickly flee the scene.
Two suspects posing as Amazon delivery drivers brutally beat an elderly Georgia man after he opened the door waiting for a package
The disguised “Amazon workers” wore the e-commerce company’s signature blue and black jackets, covered their faces and even carried a package as they walked into Hardison’s home on Price Street.
George “Dick” Hardison, 66, heard a knock on his door early Saturday morning, but when he opened it, two men posing as Amazon delivery drivers forced their way in and then hit him with “some kind of sledgehammer,” according to a report from the Savannah Police Department
Minutes after the horrific attack, a neighbor arrived to help the sick man.
The neighbor discovered Hardison covered in blood with multiple head wounds.
“A black male, wearing an Amazon jacket, was running down E. Huntingdon Street toward E Broad St,” the neighbor who ran to Hardion’s aid told police.
Savannah police “observed several lacerations on Hardison’s head while he was in his own blood from his injuries,” the report said.
Police describe the two men as younger black men, with a medium brown complexion, and in their 20s. Police are still looking for the suspects.
The two suspects will be charged with aggravated assault, aggravated battery and home invasion, according to police.
While Hardison recovers, the bar where he works has started one GoFundMe to aid in his recovery.
“Police are investigating this horrific crime, but in the meantime, let’s show Dirk the love and support he deserves,” the page reads.
In the home’s surveillance footage, Hardison can be heard screaming for help as the two hooded victims quickly flee the scene
Police describe the two men as younger black men, with a medium brown complexion, and in their 20s. Police are still looking for the suspects
Amazon has since confirmed that the two men were “not making a scheduled delivery for Amazon.”
“Based on our internal investigation, we can confirm that these individuals were not making a scheduled delivery for Amazon,” the company said in a statement.
‘We regularly monitor the internet for unauthorized Amazon clothing and demand that these items be removed wherever and whenever we can. People who deliver on behalf of Amazon do not routinely knock on doors or ask customers to sign for packages unless this has been agreed in advance.”
The investigation is ongoing.