NATICK, Mass. (WHDH) -- A Natick man was brutally beaten when he confronted three suspects trying to break into his car.

Twenty-three-year-old Michael Balboni was left bloodied and beaten after confronting a trio of crooks breaking into his car at four in the morning Sunday.

The car was parked in the driveway -- locked -- but the men broke a window leaving glass shattered across the front seat.

Natick residents can't believe the violent incident in their town.

“It is very disturbing to me,” said Christine Connolly. “This town, you usually don’t see things like that.”

Balboni says one of the men hit him with what may have been brass knuckles before the three ran off.

Balboni says police told them they've been dealing with a rash of break-ins over the past year but they don't know if his is related.

One resident 7News talked to said he was not surprised.

“It’s a quiet suburb so it’s easy for people to sneak in and out of, easy access to the highways. They’ll try it as they get more brazen,” said Randy Brewer.

Balboni suffered a wound that required five stitches but is otherwise fine.