He was beaten and robbed by street 'thugs'.
a 'thuggish' regime
a gang of 'thugs'
(..) to an important voice.... You ever lay eyes on Wayne at one of these things? No one has. Not in years. ... people put their faith in a murderous thug in a mask and a cape. A thug who showed his true nature... when he betrayed the trust of this great man... and murdered 'im in cold blood. (..)2012 The Dark Knight Rises