SPD Detective Bureau Investigation Leads to Arrest of Armed Robbery Suspect
Springfield, Mass. — On Tuesday May 16th at approximately 5:00 p.m., members of the Springfield Police Detective Bureau and West Springfield Police arrested 35-year-old Joseph Watkins on the 1300 block of Memorial Avenue in connection with several outstanding warrants.
Between April 7th and April 9th, Springfield Police Detectives under the direction of Captain Trent Duda applied for and were granted arrest warrants for Watkins for his alleged role in several crimes. Springfield Police Detectives have been investigating a series of armed robberies in the South End and Forest Park neighborhoods that began at the end of 2023. These Armed Robberies targeted businesses in the city.
Watkins is alleged to have shown a firearm during robberies at the Boriqueen Convenience Store on the 200 block of the Dwight Street Extension on January 8th, the Hampden Inn and Suites on the 800 block of East Columbus Avenue on February 7th and the Family Dollar on the 500 block of Main Street on March 19th.
On January 30th, Watkins is alleged to have broken into a building on the 0-100 block of Elm Street and stole construction equipment.
On December 21st, 2023 Watkins is also alleged to have stolen an I-Phone during a robbery at the Boost Mobile on the 800 block of Main Street.
35-year-old Joseph Watkins of Springfield is charged with:
- Arrest Warrant
– Firearm-Armed & Masked Robbery
– Firearm-Armed & Masked Robbery
– Firearm-Armed & Masked Robbery - Arrest Warrant
– Breaking and Entering into a Building – Nighttime for a Felony
– Larceny from a Building - Arrest Warrant
– Receiving Stolen Property Less than $1200
