Suffolk police are hoping a cell phone call will be the key to catching the man who attacked a 78-year-old man in Bay Shore in February.

Police say Joseph Dean, of East Islip, was leaving an off-track betting site on Sunrise Highway and 3rd Avenue when an unidentified man attacked him from behind. Dean says he was pushed to the ground and kicked repeatedly. Police say the suspect was on his cell phone for the duration of the assault. Dean, who has colon cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy, has suffered a heart attack and a stroke since the incident.

Police say there is no clear motive for the attack, but believe Dean was standing next to the suspect?s car at the time. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.