Assailants used a decoy tactic to ambush, slash, beat and rob a Buchtel High School teacher on his way to classes Wednesday.

American government and economics teacher Kevin Hayes, 36, was treated at Akron General Medical Center for numerous cuts to his upper body and face. His wounds were not considered life-threatening, police said.

No suspects have been identified.

Police interviewed Hayes at the hospital hours after the assault. He gave a description of one assailant, but did not recognize the young man as a student.

''It was a vicious attack,'' police detective Rich Morrison said. ''He's pretty traumatized. He's shook up. I don't think he ever expected something like this to happen.''

Hayes was driving a Ford Ranger pickup truck when he stopped near the high school at Orrin Street and Glendora Avenue about 7 a.m.

Morrison said one of the attackers stepped in front of the truck, blocking its path. Morrison said this is a common decoy tactic used in robberies and car jackings.

At the same time, an accomplice cut Hayes with a sharp instrument and pulled him from the truck. Police said the truck's driver-side window was down.

''He was blindsided. He didn't see the second guy coming,'' Morrison said.

Hayes was then punched several times and robbed of his wallet and watch.

Police said they recovered all the property, which was scattered in the road. The truck keys were still in the ignition.

A jogger saw Hayes lying in the street bleeding and flagged down a motorist, who went home and called police. There were no witnesses to the attack.

Police do not believe students were responsible.

A family member declined to comment and said the news media were ''blowing (the attack) out of proportion.'' News of the attack was widely reported Wednesday.

Akron schools spokeswoman Karen Ingraham said Buchtel Principal Deborah Houchins kept students and teachers informed about the incident, and fewer than five people spoke with a grief counselor at the school.

The Buchtel High Web site says that Hayes, a Buchtel teacher for three years, earned undergraduate degrees in history and economics at Otterbein College. He received a master's degree in education from Kent State University.

Buchtel High is at 1040 Copley Road. Police said the area has had a spate of robberies recently.

Akron teachers union President Bill Siegferth said the attack will remind everyone to be more wary and keep their doors locked and windows rolled up.

However, he said, he has not heard about safety problems for teachers in the Buchtel area or around any other Akron school.

''This kind of thing could happen in any number of school neighborhoods in Akron,'' Siegferth said. ''How do you police that? I'm guessing his attackers had no idea if he was a teacher or someone on their way to work anywhere.''