Roseville police are asking for the public's help after a 28-year-old man was found last week lying in a ditch for more than a day following a violent assault.

Ismail Jama, of Roseville, was discovered Dec. 24 about 11:30 a.m. in a drainage-pond ditch at Autumn Grove Park, just west of Lake Josephine. Jama was semiconscious when he was found.

According to a release from Roseville police, Jama was listed in critical condition Friday at an area hospital and was unable to communicate with detectives.

Evidence suggests that Jama drove to Autumn Grove Park on Dec. 22 between 5 and 10:50 p.m.

Once at the park, Jama seemed to have gotten out of his vehicle, which police found near the park entrance, and entered the park, where he was "violently assaulted" near the tennis courts.

On Dec. 24, a resident was in the park with his family when he noticed Jama lying in the ditch and called police.

"With few leads, the Roseville Police Department is seeking the public's help in determining who is responsible for assaulting Jama," Roseville police said in a release.

Reached by phone, Jama's brother Mohamed said it was "very difficult to talk" about what happened.

But he said, "The most important thing is to find out who did it."

Police are asking for anyone with information about the assault to call Crime Stoppers of Minnesota at 1-800-222-8477. Informants can remain anonymous and relevant tips could lead to a cash reward.

Nicole Norfleet • 612-673-4495