Eric Watts charged with six counts of robbery for spree of local incidents
Los Angeles Police Department Robbery-Homicide detectives have made an arrest related to several local robberies in the West Los Angeles area, totaling over $100,000 in property. The suspect, Eric Watts, a 31-year-old resident of Oakland, was identified by DNA evidence, as well as surveillance video and other evidence linking him to the crimes.
According to the LAPD, prior to his arrest, Watts was wanted for a parole violation and had an active warrant since June 2021.
On September 7, 2022, LAPD detectives from Robbery-Homicide Division and Gang and Narcotics Division U.S. Marshall’s Task Force worked in conjunction with the Northern District of California U.S Marshal Task Force to locate Watts at a residence in Martinez, California. Watts was taken into custody without incident and a search warrant was conducted by LAPD personnel. He was transported back to Los Angeles and booked into jail for the below listed crimes.
On September 9, 2022, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed six counts of robbery against Watts.
During the course of the investigation, Watts was also identified as the suspect in additional robberies in Northern California. Northern California police agencies are expected to present additional charges in their jurisdiction.
The first incident Watts has been linked to took place on May 21, 2022 at around 9:30 PM, when a victim stopped at a gas station in the 5100 block of West Washington Boulevard in Los Angeles after visiting another business. He went inside to pay for gas and was confronted by two suspects. Both suspects were armed with handguns and demanded his property. The victim complied and handed over his watch, cell phone, and wallet. The suspects exited the market area of the gas station and went to the victim’s vehicle. The suspects took more property from the victim’s car. The suspects fled with the victim’s property. The estimated property loss was over $31,000.
On May 22, 2022 at around 3:30 PM, another victim parked in the shopping center near the 5500 block of West Pico Boulevard in Los Angeles after visiting a nearby business. A white Lexus parked behind him, blocking him in. Two suspects approached him next to his vehicle. One of the suspects pointed a handgun at him and demanded his Rolex watch. Both suspects went through the victim’s pockets, took his money and car keys. The victim was able to run away from the suspects and retain his watch. The estimated property loss was $500.
On May 24, 2022, at around 2:30 PM, two victims were dining inside a restaurant at 8300 West 3rd Street in Los Angeles. The two suspects entered the restaurant armed with handguns and demanded the victims’ jewelry and money. The suspects took a necklace and car keys from the victims. The suspects fled with the property and drove away in a white Lexus.
On July 5, 2022 at around 3:15 PM, two victims were shopping together on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. While they were inside of a jewelry store at 7300 block of Melrose Avenue, two suspects entered the store while armed with handguns. They demanded their property. They took the victims’ watch, purse, and a handbag. The suspects walked out of the store with the victims’ property and drove away in a nearby vehicle. The estimated property loss was over $70,000.
On July 14, 2022 at 6:45 PM, a victim and two friends were shopping inside a clothing store near the 7800 block of Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. Two suspects parked a black newer model BMW X5 in front of the store, exited the vehicle, and entered the business armed with handguns. They approached the victim and demanded his jewelry. A struggle ensued in which the victim’s necklace and shirt was removed from his body, the victim ran further into the store, behind the sales counter and cash register. The struggle continued over the victim’s expensive watch he was wearing. The victim’s necklace and ring were taken in the robbery. The suspects exited the business and ran outside while still holding handguns.
As the suspects robbery was taking place inside the store, LAPD officers were flagged down for a robbery in progress. An Officer Involved Shooting occurred as the suspects were exiting the store. During the course investigation, it was determined one of the suspects dropped a handgun while fleeing. The handgun was eventually recovered.
Detectives believe Watts is involved in other similar robberies that have occurred in Southern and Northern California that have gone unreported. In an attempt to identify additional unidentified victims, detectives are releasing Watts’ photo.
Anyone with information is urged to call Robbery-Homicide Division Detectives Emily Delph and Angel Gomez at (213) 486-6840. During non-business hours, or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.
