Case dismissed for co-defendant in 2021 gas station robbery, found incompetent
One of two co-defendants in a gas station robbery in Golden Gate more than two years ago was found incompetent in court this week.
Collier Circuit Judge John McGowan on Monday approved a motion filed by attorney Donald Day deeming Roderick Stephon Watson, 27, of Miami, not competent. His case was dismissed Monday.
He faced charges of burglary with assault or battery, as well as grand theft between $20,000 and $100,000.
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Watson is one of two robbery suspects arrested while three remained at large after a pursuit ended with them crashing their van in Broward County.
Deputies responded to a robbery involving the theft of thousands of dollars’ worth of tobacco products that occurred at the Sunoco gas station on Collier Boulevard in Golden Gate shortly before 6 a.m. March 19, 2021, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Israel Machado-Castillo, a semitrailer truck driver was parked, preparing to deliver a shipment of tobacco products, when a moving van carrying five men pulled up.
Two men restrained the delivery driver, while the other three suspects unloaded multiple cases of tobacco products and put them into the van.
The suspects drove off when store employees arrived, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies located the van traveling south on Interstate 75 and engaged in a pursuit that ended at the Broward County line, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers located the van around mile marker 23, where it crashed, authorities said.
Three of the suspects entered a Dodge Charger and fled, according to investigators.
Two other suspects fled on foot. Troopers quickly located both and took them into custody, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Watson and Dwaight Hudson Jr., 40, of Miami, were booked into the Broward County jail on Collier County warrants charging them with robbery and grand theft, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Hudson pleaded no contest on Feb. 18, 2022.
Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Twitter @TomasFRoBeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Miami man accused in Golden Gate tobacco robbery found incompetent
