Man jailed in robbery of 81-year-old man

One of two men who allegedly battered an elderly man and took his grandson's motorcycle was jailed Sunday morning.

Frederick Joseph Atherton III, 22, was booked into the Carson City Jail on suspicion of felony robbery of a victim over 65, burglary of a victim over 65 and home invasion.

According to the arrest report, Atherton and another man, one of them armed with a bat, burst into an Airport Road apartment about 1:45 a.m. searching for the 81-year-old victim's grandson.

When the man told them to leave, both suspects allegedly shoved him then grabbed the grandson's motorcycle parked in the apartment and pushed it outside and down Woodside Drive.

The victim was able to identify the two suspects by name, the report states.

A passerby who allegedly saw the men beating down the door called police. A sheriff's sergeant spotted the two men near Monte Rosa and Gordonia drives. When officers approached, one of the men fled on foot. Atherton was arrested.

Officers located the motorcycle in a backyard on Woodside Drive. The tenant, who was sleeping at the time, denied knowing where the bike came from. The tenant said the unnamed suspect was his neighbor and Atherton had been visiting him.

During questioning, Atherton said the grandson gave the motorcycle to him as collateral for a $50 debt.

About 5:30 p.m. the other man called to speak with police. He also denied stealing the bike, the report states. He was expected to be interviewed by investigators later this week.

Atherton is being held on $40,000 bail.