The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office is investigating a Sunday night robbery at Simmons Cay apartments in Bluffton.

According to a news release, a robbery and assault were reported at about 7 p.m. The victim, a 29-year-old man, said he had been hanging out and drinking with a friend in a wooded area next to the apartments when five black men approached them.

One man asked for money. When the victim said he did not have any, the suspect reportedly picked up a concrete block and threw it at the victim, knocking him to the ground.

The suspects hit the victim with a belt several times and took an undisclosed amount of cash from him before fleeing in different directions, according to the news release.

The victim's injuries were minor; he did not require medical attention. The friend he was with was unharmed.

Anyone with information is asked to contact either Investigator Cpl. B. Cooler at 843-255-3423 or Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC (274-6372).