Atwater teen beaten, robbed in drug deal gone wrong, police say

A 15-year-old Atwater resident was beaten and robbed Sunday in what investigators said appears to have been a drug deal gone wrong, police said.

The boy was taken to a hospital with injuries to his left eye, facial swelling, and scrapes on his arms and legs, Atwater police Lt. Samuel Joseph said.

Adam T. Casanova and Nicholas M. Arellano, both 18, were arrested along with a 15-year-old boy, police said.

Officers responded around 5:45 p.m. to the 200 block of East Manzanita Drive and found the injured teenager. Officers located all three suspects a short time later.

Investigators suspect a drug deal between the 15-year-olds turned violent, Joseph said.

“It’s one of the possibilities the officers are looking into,” he said.

Atwater police said the three suspects took the victim’s bicycle after the assault.

The 15-year-old suspect was booked into Merced County Juvenile Justice Correctional Complex on suspicion of battery causing serious injury, robbery and receiving stolen property, police said.

Arellano was booked into the Merced County jail on suspicion of assault. He posted a $10,000 bail bond and was released just before 1 a.m. Monday, according to booking records.

Casanova was booked into John Latorraca Correctional Facility on suspicion of assault, robbery and receiving stolen property. He remained in custody Monday on $70,000 bail, according to booking records.

This story was originally published June 1, 2015 at 10:24 AM with the headline "Atwater teen beaten, robbed in drug deal gone wrong, police say."