A man in Winnipeg was beaten with a bat then forced by his attackers to purchase cigarettes at a convenience store.

It happened at about 3 a.m. Thursday near Ellice Avenue and Maryland Street in the city's West End.

According to police, the 44-year-old victim was confronted by three people, assaulted and struck with a baseball bat.

He was then robbed of cash.

But the attackers weren't done yet.

They led the man to a nearby convenience store where he was forced to buy cigarettes. The clerk, noting the man's obvious injuries, called emergency services and the three suspects fled.

The man was sent to hospital and treated for multiple injuries.

Not long after, one of the three suspects, a 23-year-old man, was arrested by police in the 400 block of Victor Street.

Two 16-year-old boys were later arrested near Ellice Avenue and Young Street after breaking into and damaging a number of vehicles, police said.

The 23-year-old has been charged with robbery with a weapon while the youths have been charged with the same offence, as well as mischief and failing to comply with a prior sentence.

All three are in custody.