DURHAM, N.C. — Four unidentified men who are still on the loosebeat and robbed Martin Eakes, co-founder of the $301 millionSelf-Help Credit Union and its affiliate Center For ResponsibleLending, when he was leaving work on Nov. 24.
Eakes, who drove himself to the emergency room after the attack,sustained between 20 or 30 blows to his head and face and required15 stitches for a gash in his forehead. He also faces outpatientsurgery to help him recover from muscular injuries he sustained tohis arm.
The four men attacked Eakes at about 8 p.m. in the lobby of acity-owned parking deck that Self-Help employees use, according toSelf-Help spokesman David Beck. Beck said the CU's employees useboth a flat, open parking lot and the parking deck when that fillsup. Eakes later told a local paper that the attackers “beat thetar” out of him and said that the attack appeared“disproportionate.” Beck said that neither Self-Help nor Eakesbelieved the attack had anything to do with Eakes' work at theCU.
Eakes said it was the first time in over 28 years working indownturn Durham that he has ever been attacked or robbed. Hisbeating has helped spur a conversation in the city about thesecurity in city-owned parking facilities.
Eakes said it was clear to him that the men had been lying in waitfor someone in the garage but that it was not clear they werelooking for him. He was back at work the next day, Beck said.
–[email protected]
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