Reading robbery suspect charged with forcing man to drive to ATM
Mar. 20—Reading police arrested a city man over the weekend on charges that he robbed a man at gunpoint in the victim's car early this month after he agreed to drive him home from a downtown adult novelty store.
After robbing the man of the cash in his wallet about 2 a.m. March 7, investigators said, Arthur J. Watkins, 52, forced him at gunpoint to drive to a city convenience store to withdraw money, but the victim ran to the store as soon as he parked and told employees to call police, causing his assailant to flee.
Watkins of the 200 block of North 11th Street was arrested Saturday. Details of his arrest were unvailable.
After arraignment before District Judge Eric J. Taylor in Reading Central Court, he was committed to Berks County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail to await a hearing.
He is charged with robbery, possessing a firearm while prohibited, simple assault, reckless endangerment and related counts.
According to the probable cause affidavit:
The victim said Watkins, whom he did not know, asked for a ride home as the victim was leaving Reading Adult Outlet, 316 Penn St., shortly before 2 a.m. He agreed, and they proceeded to his vehicle parked across the street.
The victim said Watkins sat in the rear seat and proceeded to put the barrel of a pistol against his chest and demand money.
He gave Watkins about $35, but Watkins said that wasn't enough. He ordered the victim to drive to the ATM outside Turkey Hill Minit Market at Fifth and Spring streets. The victim said he fled the vehicle as soon as he parked, escaping his assailant's attempts to stop him by grabbing his shoulder.
Watkins exited the vehicle and fled toward Spring Street.
Investigators used security camera footage of both businesses to identify Watkins, a convicted felon, as the suspect. As a felon, he is prohibited from having firearms.
