ST. LOUIS — A man arrested and charged last week for a October 2022 burglary case now faces 70 additional charges relating to burglaries over the past 15 months across St. Louis.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department announced Wednesday that Timothy Watson, 38, is suspected in 27 separate incidents at 16 different businesses dating back to October 2022. Prosecutors charged him with dozens of felony counts of burglary, stealing and property damage, as well as two counts of resisting arrest.
Watson is accused of targeting retail stores, restaurants, bakeries and fast food establishments throughout St. Louis, most predominantly in south St. Louis.
"There was some type of pattern that investigators were able to, pick up on that ultimately led to his identification and all of the incidents that, we've been able to tie him to at this point," SLMPD Sgt. Charles Wall said.
Business owners and court documents say he was known for throwing a brick or large object through glass doors or windows, stealing cash, electronics and products but on several occasions he wasn’t even able to take anything; leaving behind thousands of dollars in property damage.
Prosecutors said Watson tended to target several businesses at a time along main roadways, such as Watson Road in south St. Louis and North Euclid Avenue in the Central West End.
The most recent string of break-ins happened on Watson Road, including Series Six Company and Pint Size Bakery and Coffee.
Up-Down on Euclid was just one of a few Central West End businesses allegedly hit by Watson.
"He broke in while people were still here. Luckily we stopped it before he could get past the two double doors, but it was a scare. But nothing got stolen both times. It was kind of crazy. Just a brick through the window," Up-Down Manager Kayris Overall said.
Police also connected him to several incidents in the Southwest Garden Neighborhood where he is accused of targeting the Family Dollar at 5433 Southwest Ave. on eight separate occasions stealing mainly cigarettes, spanning from Oct. 31, 2022, to Nov. 11, 2023.
A Family Dollar employee spoke with 5 On Your Side but wanted to conceal his identity for safety reasons.
"I am very relieved because we've had a lot of product taken out the store as well as we've kind of had some issues with safety measures because we had a lot of break-ins over the years," the employee said.
In total, documents say Watson has caused tens of thousands of dollars in property damage.
"I know times are tough, but that's just not the way to go about trying to take care of yourself and get what you need or, or get what you want. There are other ways out there to get yourself some help," the employee said.
Investigators believe Watson is connected to several incidents in St. Louis County, as well.
Watson was being held without bond at the St. Louis City Justice Center.
