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Oakland Robbery Victim Shot Near Lake Merritt; Suspect Arrested

OAKLAND (BCN) - A 26-year-old Oakland man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and attempted robbery for allegedly shooting another man near Lake Merritt late Wednesday night, a police spokesman said Thursday.

The victim, another 26-year-old Oakland man, was shot multiple times in his stomach but his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. He was in stable condition Thursday morning, police spokesman Jeff Thomason said.

Thomason said police received multiple calls at 11:11 p.m. Wednesday from people who reported hearing numerous gunshots in the 1500 block of Madison Street, which is near the Oakland Public Library and Alameda County's government building and main courthouse.

Witnesses told police that they saw and heard two men fighting in the street just as the gunfire erupted, Thomason said.

Officers who responded to the scene found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound to his stomach, according to Thomason.

The victim was conscious and was able to give the officers a description of the suspect who shot him, as well as the direction in which the suspect fled, Thomason said.

He said that shortly after a crime broadcast was put out, Officer Ercivan Martin spotted a man nearby at 17th Street and Lakeside Drive who matched the suspect's description.

Martin detained the man, who was identified as Daniel Alem, Thomason said.

Alem was taken to Highland Hospital in Oakland, where the victim is being treated for his injuries. The victim identified Alem as the person who shot him, Thomason said.

According to Thomason, the victim told police that he was walking in the 1500 block of Madison Street and texting on his cell phone when Alem suddenly ran up to him and snatched his phone.

Thomason said Alem ran away and the victim chased him, caught up with him and took his phone back.

But Alem then attacked the victim, who defended himself by punching Alem in the face, Thomason said.

Alem then pulled a semi-automatic handgun and shot at the victim multiple times, according to Thomason.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Oakland Police Department's robbery and assault unit at (510) 238-3426.

Thomason said police are reminding residents to always be aware of their surroundings and to not be distracted by cell phones and electronic devices.

(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Bay City News contributed to this report.)

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