SOUTH PORTLAND — After a brief standoff Monday, police arrested a man suspected of armed robbery in South Portland.

Joshua Nisbet, 34, of Scarborough, turned himself over to police around 7:30 p.m. on July 18 at a friend’s home on Highland Avenue. Nisbet is accused of robbing a Mobil station on Main street on the previous Friday.

Police said Nisbet had a knife when he robbed the store, and that he fled after making off with a small amount of cash.

Police Department Sgt. Steve Webster said officers had been in touch with Nisbet earlier Monday, and that at the time he indicated he had no intention of turning himself in. Police kept tabs on Nisbet throughout the day, and tracked him to the home on Highland Avenue.

When officers arrived at the house around 6 p.m., the homeowners left the scene, Webster said. Nisbet refused to come out.

“He was still communicating with us, we were speaking with him on the phone,” Webster said. “We’ve had to deal with him in the past. He has a rather lengthy criminal history.”

Eventually, a tactical team was deployed in case officers had to enter the building. But it never came to that; around 7:30 p.m., Nisbet was convinced to turn himself in.

“He came out on his own and was cooperative once he stepped outside,” Webster said.

Police claim Nisbet robbed the gas station at knife point just before 11 p.m. on July 15.

Images from the store’s security cameras showed a man matching Nisbet’s description, including a tattoo on the side of his neck.

According to court records, Nisbet was found guilty of assault and reckless conduct in 2003, operating under the influence in 2006 and terrorizing in 2008.

Mario Moretto can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 106 or mmoretto@theforecaster.net. Follo Mario on Twitter: @riocarmine.

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Joshua Nisbet

This security camera photo shows the suspect police believe is Joshua Nisbet when he allegedly robbed the Mobil station on Main Street in South Portland just before 11 p.m. Friday, July 15.

Police say Joshua Nisbet’s tattoo matches the one seen on the neck of the suspect in this security photo from a robbery at the Mobil station on Main Street in South Portland on July 15.