Surveillance photographs of a man with distinctive tattoos on his hands and forearms generated enough tips for Broward Sheriff’s detectives to identify and arrest a strong-arm robbery suspect.
Elliott Watson, 30, was wanted for robbing a Bank of America customer about 12:40 p.m. Jan. 4, in the parking lot near 3883 W. Commercial Blvd. in Tamarac, investigators said.
When the customer left the ATM and got in his car, Watson walked over and demanded his property. After a brief struggle, Watson ran off with the customer’s cellphone and several bank cards, officials said.
Later that day, investigators said Watson used the stolen cards to spend more than $900 in a Foot Locker store at 3650 W. Broward Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale.
He also tried to use a stolen credit card at J & L Liquors, at 3875 N.W. 19th St. in Lauderdale Lakes, but the card was declined, detectives said.
A man, thought to be an accomplice, was with Watson when they went shopping with the stolen cards, detectives said.
The second man is shorter and stockier with a dark beard and dark hair styled in twists. He wore a dark T-shirt and white or light-colored shorts, surveillance images showed.
Watson was arrested Feb. 26 and charged with grand theft, robbery and fraud. He is being held in the Broward County Jail on $35,000 bond, records show.
Investigators are asking anyone with additional information about Watson or the alleged accomplice can contact Detective Mark Copley at 954-321-4738.
Anonymous tips can be given to Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477 or online at browardcrimestoppers.org. Anonymous tips that lead to an arrest are eligible for a reward of up to $3,000.
wkroustan@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4303 or Twitter @WayneRoustan
Woman beaten, raped and robbed while out for morning walk in Sunrise
Robbers steal credit card, use it to buy fast food
No one hurt when security officer fires warning shots at Palm Beach Gardens Mall