Atwater man arrested in diner robbery

A 30-year-old Atwater man was arrested late Thursday after he allegedly robbed the Denny’s restaurant in Atwater, the Police Department reported.

Matthew D. Lane “acted like he had a weapon in his pocket” around 11:30 p.m. Thanksgiving night and demanded cash from employees at the diner at 1601 Sycamore Ave., Lt. Samuel Joseph said.

“He made statements that made the employee believe he was armed, but he never showed any weapon and no weapon was ever found,” Joseph said.

The thief made off with about $3,000 in cash and was seen heading toward Atwater Boulevard. However, officers and a police dog tracked the alleged thief to the 1200 block of Broadway Avenue and captured Lane after a short foot pursuit.

Joseph said the work of Officers Fred Robinson and Jose Torres and K-9 “Boss” was instrumental in a quick arrest. Officers said Lane was carrying a bag filled with money taken from the diner.

Lane was booked at the Merced County jail on suspicion of robbery. He remained in custody Friday on $50,000 bail, according to booking records.

The robbery was the second reported in as many days in Merced County in which the alleged thief pretended to have a gun in his pocket.

Matthew A. Souza, 33, of Hilmar was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of robbery shortly after Merced County sheriff’s deputies said he tried to rob a fast-food restaurant while pretending to be armed. However, no cash was taken, deputies said.

This story was originally published November 27, 2015 at 4:37 PM with the headline "Atwater man arrested in diner robbery."