Merced man facing various charges after armed robbery arrest

A victim told police that a man with a “W” tattoo on his cheek pointed a gun at him in the parking lot area of 300 Carpenteria Road in Aromas and demanded his wallet on Saturday at about 11:25 a.m.

The victim refused and ran into the Marshall’s Market to call 911, according to police.

The victim said the suspect left in an older white Toyota Camry.

Deputies contacted the Watsonville Police Department and the Santa Cruz County Gang Task Force for help in identifying the suspect.

A short time later, the deputy’s office was contacted by Watsonville police and told them that a similar car and man had been stopped in the area of 485 Holohan Road.

The victim positively identified the suspect in the robbery.

Offices then arrested Carlos Maldonado, 31, for the armed robbery.

The gun used in the armed robbery was also recovered during the stop.

Maldonado was booked into San Benito County Jail.