Police: Teenager is latest arrested in Atwater gang violence

A sixth arrest was announced Saturday in connection with a recent series of gang-related attacks in Atwater, the Police Department reported.

A 15-year-old male was arrested and accused of using a baseball bat in a gang assault Feb. 16 in Atwater, police Lt. Samuel Joseph told the Sun-Star.

In an interview Saturday, Joseph said the teenager admitted using the bat in an attack.

Police are looking into the possibility that the teen may have been involved in other recent incidents. He has been booked into the Merced County Juvenile Justice Complex on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, police said.

News of the arrest came just two days after city leaders at a town hall meeting told the public that police were on top of the recent string of shootings and assaults.

Five people were arrested Wednesday, including 29-year-old Asuncion “Garfield” Rodriguez, whom police describe as a “ringleader” and “key player” in a Sureño street gang within the city.

The recent violence appears to have been sparked around Feb. 16 between rival gangs. No injuries were reported in the shootings, but police believe they are all connected.

This story was originally published February 27, 2016 at 11:41 AM with the headline "Police: Teenager is latest arrested in Atwater gang violence."