A 30-year-old Chico man was attacked, robbed and pistol whipped Sunday evening by a man who was later arrested after fleeing on a bicycle.
The suspect demanded the victim’s backpack before repeatedly slamming him in the head with a semi-automatic handgun. Fleeing with the victim’s cash, the suspect led police on a brief chase before his arrest. Police identified the suspect as Eric Gaines. He was booked for armed robbery.
The incident occurred at 6 p.m. near the intersection of the Esplanade and Panama Avenue. The victim was not seriously injured.