Three arrested after teen is beaten and robbed

Three men were arrested on strong-armed robbery charges after allegedly beating up a 14-year-old boy and stealing his skateboard and Playstation Portable gaming system.

The boy was approached by a group of men in an apartment complex on Collins Drive Monday around 5 p.m., who then beat him and stole his equipment, Merced police said.

The boy's mother was chasing one of the suspects when officers arrived.

After an investigation, three of the men were arrested and booked. The boy's property was recovered and he was not seriously injured in the assault, police said.