A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbery and other charges early Tuesday morning, after he and a group of males allegedly tried robbing a man behind a Denny's restaurant.
Walter William Matthews was arrested in the 1200 block of West 13th Street, a short distance from the restaurant, according to Lt. Matt Williams.
On Monday, police had investigated a residential burglary at a home in the 1100 block of Monticello Court. The homeowner's grandson had been checking the house and noticed that a 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer had been stolen from the garage along with a shotgun, Williams said.
In addition, a neighbor reported seeing a suspicious man who asked for directions near the victim's residence. Later, the witness saw the neighbor's Mitsubishi Lancer speeding away from the area.
Around 12:40 a.m. Tuesday, police were called to an armed robbery in an alley behind Denny's restaurant. Police said they spotted Matthews trying to flee on foot and he was arrested. Police found the stolen Mitsubishi and shotgun after searching the area.
The victim of the robbery reported a group of males had approached him in a car behind the restaurant, pointed the shotgun at him and demanded money. The victim didn't have any money, and the robbers left the area.
Matthews was identified as the suspect seen at the Monticello Court address and was booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of robbery, burglary, auto theft and possession of stolen property.
Reporter Victor A. Patton can be reached at (209) 385-2431 or vpatton@mercedsun-star.com.
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