Edgartown police are searching for two or three men allegedly involved in an assault Saturday night that is being considered a hate crime, police said Monday.

According to Det. Sgt. Christopher Dolby, the victim was a 23-year old man who works in Edgartown. The man was riding his bicycle at around 10:30 p.m. Saturday on Edgartown-West Tisbury Road near the State Forest when “two or three guys jumped out from a vehicle and knocked him off his bike,” Detective Sergeant Dolby said. “Fifteen minutes later a car drove by and stopped because they thought something didn’t look right. They asked him if he was alright and he didn’t answer so they called 911.”

Edgartown police and an ambulance responded, Det. Sgt. Dolby said, and the victim was transported to the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Det. Sgt. Dolby said the victim was treated and released later that night.

The assailants allegedly made derogatory comments regarding the victim’s sexual orientation, classifying the assault as a hate crime, Det. Sgt. Dolby told the Gazette. The investigation is ongoing, and “there are a couple things for the detectives to look into.”

Edgartown Police Monday posted information about the assault on the department’s Facebook page. “Facebook has generated leads and resulted in arrests and convictions of criminal matters. Most law enforcement agencies use it now and it’s becoming an invaluable tool,” Det. Sgt. Dolby said.

Police are asking anyone who may have any information about the case to contact the Edgartown Police Department at (508) 627-4343 or call or text their anonymous tip line at (774) 310-1190.