A 33-year-old Merced man who was wanted on a felony warrant was arrested Friday afternoon after he fled the Home Depot store with stolen merchandise.

At 2:03 p.m., Nicolas Brown was seen stealing merchandise from the store and loss prevention officers attempted to stop him as he left the store. Brown fought with the employees to get away and after a brief physical struggle, Brown dropped the stolen goods and ran toward Hatch Road. 

Sgt. Travis Hudson was on the way and found Brown near the Togo’s Sandwich shop in the 1400 block of Hatch Road. He was positively identified by the loss prevention officers and arrested.

Brown was booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center for robbery and the outstanding felony warrant from Merced.

A shoplifting charge can be elevated to the more serious charge of robbery when items are taken by force or fear.