Suspect of several armed robberies in Springfield arrested

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A Springfield man was arrested Tuesday for his alleged involvement in three armed robberies and two other thefts in Springfield over the last few months.

According to Springfield Police Spokesperson Ryan Walsh, 35-year-old Joseph Watkins was arrested on Memorial Avenue in West Springfield around 5:00 p.m. after a warrant was granted for his arrest. Watkins allegedly displayed a firearm while robbing businesses in the South End and Forest Park neighborhoods on three separate occasions:

• January 8 – Boriqueen Convenience Store on the 200 block of the Dwight Street Extension
• February 7 – Hampden Inn and Suites on the 800 block of East Columbus Avenue
• March 19 – Family Dollar on the 500 block of Main Street

Watkins is also accused of stealing an iPhone from the Boost Mobile on Main Street on December 21, 2023 and breaking into an Elm Street building on January 30th, stealing construction equipment.

Watkins has been charged with the following:

• 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 $1,200

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