St Joseph Police are investigating two assault cases that happened Sunday. One of them occurred after a pickup basketball game, and the other one involved a baseball bat.

Commander Janice Rothganger says a 43-year-old man was assaulted near St Joseph Avenue and Grand Avenue around 6:40 pm Sunday.

“A white male subject, approximately 26 years old, saw the victim, and believed the victim had stolen from him,” Rothganger said. “the victim ran away but was assaulted with a bat.”

The victim was transported to Heartland Regional Medical Center for treatment of head injuries. He was later released.

Rothganger says patrons of the First Ward House nightclub were able to identify the suspect and secure the weapon.

“They pointed out the suspect, and confirmed he was the suspect,” Rothganger said. “He had tossed the baseball bat before we arrived, and they collected it and turned it over to us on our arrival.”

Charges were expected in the case but had not been filed by mid-afternoon Monday.

In another assault Sunday, a man was stabbed twice in the hand by an apparent sore loser after a pickup basketball game.

“He and his friends were playing basketball against another team,” Rothganger said.

“The victim’s team won, and the suspect began arguing with the victim, then pulled out a knife. He stuck the victim two times in the hand as the victim tried to defend himself.”

The victim was taken to Heartland, where he was treated for two puncture wounds to the hand and later released.

The suspect fled the scene. He is described as possibly an Asian or Micronesian male wearing a ponytail.

If you help police you can call the TIPS Hotline, (816)238-TIPS, or call police at (816) 271-4777. Rothganger says you can also send a private message to police. On Twitter, send it to “SJPD Info.” On Facebook, use “Saint Joseph Missouri Police Department.”