LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A man nicknamed “Wild Child” has been arrested in connection with an armed robbery in which a man was beaten with a rifle and a rock on a Lake Worth beach.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) said its robbery unit responded to a 911 call around 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 16 for a report of an armed robbery. The victim was transported to St. Mary’s with serious injuries. While in the hospital, medical staff noted that the victim required multiple staples and stitches to the top of her head as a result of the attack.

According to the probable cause statement, despite the fact that the victim was “under the influence of an unknown substance” while hospitalized, enough information was gathered to identify Gerald Smith as the suspect.

The victim told investigators that he confronted Smith, known as the “Wild Child,” because he allegedly messed with his girlfriend and took her crack pipe. They argued, but the victim left and returned to his place at 17th Avenue S. and S. Dixie Highway. Smith later allegedly returned and approached the victim with a shotgun, they exchanged words, and the suspect then attacked him, striking him with the shotgun and hitting him in the head with a rock multiple times. The PBSO report stated the victim fell to the ground and the suspect stole $20 from her pocket before fleeing.

See also: Woman accused of hitting boyfriend with car after argument in Boca Raton

PBSO said Smith was found at his residence on Wingfield Street as described by the victim and wearing a “Wild Child” tattoo. Based on the evidence, probable cause was established to arrest Smith. The 43-year-old was booked into the Palm Beach Jail Nov. 4 on charges of robbery with a deadly weapon and petty theft.

Find more ways to stay on top of the latest local news. Sign up for our newsletter to get the day’s top headlines straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the biggest stories and you can’t miss the video.