St. Louis mans crime spree ends in 70 felony charges

ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Police said they’ve been working to capture a man who is responsible for a lot of wrongdoing.

Sgt. Charles Wall from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said investigators identified the suspect as 38-year-old Timothy Watson.

Wall said Watson has been involved in 27 separate incidents involving 16 businesses in 17 locations since October.

On Jan. 18, police caught up with Watson and arrested him. Police said he is responsible for a series of thefts, burglaries and property damage throughout the city, including The Hill and Central West End.

The same day, the Circuit Attorney’s Office issued a series of charges, including one count of burglary in the second degree, one count of stealing $750 or more, and one count of property damage in the first degree.

Now, the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office is charging Watson with 70 felonies, which count for a series of break-ins to small businesses and for stealing more than $25,000 from a number of ATM’s.

Insurance companies return $27.5 million to Missourians

“It’s my understanding that Timothy Watson, the burglary suspect, is believed to be responsible for some (crimes) outside the city and the county as well,” Wall said. “Our investigators have been in contact with other investigators from other agencies as well as the county prosecutor’s office.”

In most instances, authorities said the defendant was captured on surveillance cameras at almost every single location, wearing distinctive clothing, and even leaving his driver’s license at one store.

“It’s my understanding (that) some of the businesses were both retail and at some point, in time, it became more restaurants and fast-food type places,” Wall said. “I seem to recall one pattern was along Watson (Road) in the second district in the City of St. Louis.” 

Watson is being held without bond.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.