Springfield saw a break in a string of violent crimes when police apprehended a suspect wanted for a series of armed robberies in the city's South End and Forest Park neighborhoods. The Springfield Police Department, in collaboration with the West Springfield Police Department, put a stop to the spree with the capture of Joseph Watkins, 35, on Tuesday at around 5:00 p.m. on Memorial Avenue, as reported by the Springfield Police Department.

Charged with multiple counts of firearm-armed and masked robbery, Watkins allegedly terrorized local businesses over several months. Under the leadership of Captain Trent Duda, Springfield detectives diligently pieced together evidence and secured arrest warrants between April 7th and 9th. Having been suspected of initiating his criminal activities at the end of 2023, the arrest brought relief to the beleaguered neighborhoods.

Details surrounding Watkins' alleged crime spree suggest a string of calculated attacks on local businesses. Authorities claim that Watkins displayed a firearm during robberies at the Boriqueen Convenience Store, the Hampden Inn and Suites, and the Family Dollar on various dates earlier this year. Furthermore, on January 30th, Watkins allegedly broke into a building on Elm Street, helping himself to construction equipment.

Not limited to armed robberies, Watkins has been implicated in the theft of an iPhone during a heist at the Boost Mobile store on December 21st, 2023. The laundry list of charges against Watkins includes breaking and entering into a building during nighttime for a felony and receiving stolen property less than $1,200, all of which has put the spotlight on the 35-year-old Springfield resident.

Watkins now faces a multitude of serious charges, with the wheels of justice set in motion following his arrest. The swift action of the Springfield Police aims to serve as a deterrent to would-be criminals, emphasizing that the safety and security of local citizens and their property remain a top priority.