SKOWHEGAN -- One month after a masked man robbed a gatekeeper at gunpoint at the Skowhegan State Fair, police have a suspect in custody.

Skowhegan police on Monday arrested Russell D. Berry, 19, of 75 Old Point Ave., Madison, charging him with armed robbery in connection with the Aug. 15 crime at the Russell Street gate. A money bag containing $1,400 was taken, according to Skowhegan Police Chief Michael Emmons.

Emmons said the arrest was made around 2 p.m. in Madison, shortly after the Maine State Dive Team recovered a BB handgun believed to have been used during the 10:41 p.m. robbery.

Detective Sgt. Daniel Summers said divers found the gun in the Kennebec River in Madison, about 25 to 30 yards from the train trestle behind the former Anson Stick mill that recently burned.

Divers "did an awesome job," Summers said.

Emmons said his officers did a good job, too, chasing down a robber with very little in the way of a face description and so few initial clues.

The robber had been described as wearing a black ski mask, black gloves and aviator-style sunglasses when he pointed the gun at the gatekeeper.

The gunman escaped on foot, running south on Russell Road toward Gate 3 at the corner of Beech Street. It was believed a vehicle was waiting for the robber.

"The Russell Road gate is secluded and they had prior knowledge that the money was there; they demanded the money bag," Emmons said.

Emmons said police had been working night and day to solve the case, interviewing many people.

"It started with Summers and Officer Don Avery, who wasn't initially assigned. Avery really got interested and took the ball and ran with it, started digging in," Emmons said. "Between the two, they just worked extremely hard."

Emmons said Detective Michael Mitchell of the Maine State Police and Madison police also assisted in solving the case: "It's been a joint effort, it was a job well done."

Berry did not resist arrest, according to the police chief.

Emmons said the gun was recovered because "some information was shared," and that more arrests will be made in connection with the case.

Early Monday evening, Berry was still being held at the Somerset County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.

He is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday in a Skowhegan courtroom.

Darla L. Pickett -- 474-9534, Ext. 341

dpickett@centralmaine.com