October 3, 2008
Brandon Haught
Public Information Office

MAN ARRESTED WHILE FLEEING FROM MOTEL ROBBERY 

A suspect was in custody less than 30 minutes after a motel near Daytona Beach was robbed early Friday morning. However, his accomplice eluded Volusia County Sheriff’s deputies and Daytona Beach Police officers. The pair had held up a motel clerk at gunpoint and then fled with cash in hand, but the clerk didn’t waste any time picking up the phone to report the robbery. Responding units spotted the fleeing vehicle within minutes. Daytona officers successfully deployed stop sticks on the suspect vehicle, and the men eventually abandoned the car to take their chances on foot. Christopher Watkins’ luck ran out, though, when units picked him up just a short distance away. There were no shots fired or injuries during the robbery or the capture.

The robbery happened at approximately 12:35 a.m. at Super 8 Motel, 2992 W. International Speedway Blvd. Watkins and his partner walked into the lobby wearing masks and approached the night clerk on duty. One suspect jumped over a partition and directly confronted the 37-year-old clerk. Watkins sat on the partition while holding a handgun. The first suspect rifled through the counter area and took money from the cash drawer. The pair then ran out the door.

More than 15 deputies and officers responded to the clerk’s call for help, including K-9 units and a Sheriff’s Office helicopter. Deputy Richard Lecates was the first to spot the getaway vehicle speeding northbound on Tomoka Farms Road. He attempted to make a traffic stop, but the suspects sped up instead, blowing through stop signs and traffic lights. The car wound up on Jimmy Ann Drive where a Daytona officer successfully punctured a rear tire with stop sticks. The suspects kept driving, though. A moment later, deputies turning onto Heineman Street discovered the abandoned vehicle and quickly established a perimeter. Citizens in the area reported a suspicious man running through their yards, which helped Daytona officers zero in on Watkins.

The 22-year-old man from Jacksonville was charged with fleeing and eluding, armed robbery, aggravated assault and grand theft. He was transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail in Daytona Beach. His partner was described as a black man, between 5’8” and 5’10” tall and weighing about 170 pounds. He was last seen wearing a white shirt, dark shorts and white and black shoes. Further investigation revealed that there may have been a third suspect who had waited in the getaway vehicle while the other two went into the motel. The gun believed to be used in the robbery was recovered from the abandoned car by investigators.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact Investigator Beth Fortin at (386) 323-0151 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida toll-free at 1-888-277-TIPS. Callers to Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous and can qualify for a reward of up to $1,000. Individuals can also Text a tip by texting “TIP231 plus the message” to CRIMES.