One arrested in Atwater robbery

A 25-year-old Merced man was arrested Tuesday, accused of robbing another man at gunpoint in Atwater, the Police Department reported.

Fredrick P. Smith was booked into John Latorraca Correctional Facility on suspicion of robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm, police said in a statement.

Investigators said the victim, a man whose identity was not released, was robbed around 7:23 p.m. near Cedar Avenue and Third Street in Atwater.

The victim was confronted by several men, including one who pulled a firearm and demanded money. The suspect, later identified by police as Smith, ran with several other people to a nearby apartment complex in the 1200 block of Broadway Avenue, officers said.

Police detained several people during the investigation.

“The victim was able to positively identify one of the males as the person who committed the robbery,” officers said in the news release.

Investigators also recovered the firearm believed to have been used in the robbery.

“These officers acted quickly in apprehending this dangerous criminal,” Lt. Samuel Joseph told the Sun-Star.

According to Merced County Jail records, Smith has been arrested multiple times in Merced County dating back to 2011, including weapons, theft and attempted robbery allegations.

This story was originally published May 4, 2016 at 10:49 AM with the headline "One arrested in Atwater robbery."