Merced Police say report of stolen truck leads to suspect also wanted in armed robbery
Merced Police say they nabbed a suspected truck thief after a foot chase, then threw the book at him.
The case started Thursday afternoon when officers responded to a report of a stolen red Ford pickup truck in the 1300 block of West 16th Street, according to a department news release.
An officer saw a man later identified as Xavier Carter, 28, of Oakley in the east Bay Area getting into the truck in the Siesta Motel parking lot.
Carter saw the officer and took off running, but was caught a block away.
Police say that during the short chase, a witness saw Carter throw a handgun over a fence on the east side of the Slumber Motel. Police found the 9 mm black and silver firearm.
A crime victim then called the Merced Police Department to report having been robbed at gunpoint. The victim identified Carter as the suspect and gave an accurate description of the gun.
The victim stated he had been robbed of about $250. Carter was found to have $230 cash in his possession.
Carter was booked into the Merced County Jail for multiple felony and misdemeanor charges. He is accused of armed robbery, possession of a stolen vehicle, resisting arrest and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Merced Police are asking those with information regarding the case to contact Officer Shaw at 209-385-6905. Information can be sent anonymously by texting “Comvip” to the police department at TIP411 (847411).
This story was originally published February 14, 2020 at 11:28 AM.
