Man arrested for attempted armed robberies in Albany

Man attempts to rob Papa Johns & Homerun Foods

ALBANY, Ga. – According to the Albany Police Department a man is now in custody or attempting to rob not one, but two food establishments just minutes apart.

“The suspect’s first target was Papa Johns, he tried to rob Papa Johns and luckily was unsuccessful,” said Rashad Clark, Detective, Albany Police Department.

Clark says 34 year old Travis Watson was unsuccessful in this first armed robbery attempt thanks to the manager, who put her employee’s safety first….

“She took her employees into the back room and locked the door so he wasn’t able to access them, because he couldn’t get in the register because he doesn’t know how. So, without them to do it for him, he was unable to rob the business,” said Det. Clark.

That’s when Watson marched with his silver pistol, just a few hundred feet to Home Run Foods, where he would attempt the same crime.

“Sadly he was successful, but thanks to the cashier’s quick wit, she was able to activate the alarm and alert police,” said Det. Clark.

Clark says Watson stole a minimum amount of $100 from the gas station and was arrested after a quick on-foot chase.

This fast take down was due to officers already patrolling the area out of precaution because of a prior robbery, which Watson happened to be a suspect in.

“Uniform officers were able to make an arrest because their details were adjusted. We already had an armed robbery from him I think a week prior or a few days. So, they basically just adjusted their methods when something like that happened. So, luckily they were already in the are in positions to respond, chase him down, and apprehend him,” said Det. Clark.

Both incidents happened on April 28th, around 8:30 p.m. Watson now resides in the Dougherty County Jail on charges of Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Firearm during Commission of a Crime.

Clark believes this incident was erratic and not pre-planned.

“His demeanor was a little quirky. He was rushed, he’s nervous he doesn’t know what’s around him and generally nervous. His steps aren’t calculated at all, they were just kind of going with the flow type of thing,” said Det. Clark.

Clark says that businesses in that area of Oglethorpe Boulevard are not usually robbery targets, but has advice to owners in case an instance reoccurs.

“The best advice I can give someone to protect themselves is to be vigilant. That area, those businesses are not usually a target for armed robberies. It’s usually places around it, but the businesses are usually safe. But again, the best advice I can give is to be vigilant and be on guard,” said Det. Clark.

Detective Clark says they believe Watson discarded of the firearm used in these crimes before being apprehended. So, it’s unknown if the gun was purchased legally or reported stolen prior to the incident.

If you have any information about this case or others you’re asked to call the Albany Police Department at 229-431-2100.

Mary Alex Anders reporting.

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