The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested 44-year-old Joseph Watson on Wednesday for allegedly stealing multiple items from Palm Coast’s Target store. The FCSO called Watson a career shoplifter and charged him with two felonies and one misdemeanor for this latest offense.
According to the FCSO’s report, Watson was seen leaving Target with several items of clothing. He had reportedly not paid for them, and an employee was said to have tried to stop him. It was then that Watson was seen reportedly running toward the Dollar Tree in that same shopping center.
Deputies located a man matching the description of the shoplifter, later confirmed to be Watson. He was said to be behind the Dollar Tree, where he told deputies that he was waiting on a ride. Review of surveillance footage revealed that Watson appeared to change his clothes and stash what he’d been wearing in the woods nearby. Deputies found a gray shirt and hat, matching what the figure in Target’s video footage was wearing.
A search of Watson’s person was conducted, during which deputies reportedly found a metal contained. Inside, they found ‘narcotic residue’ which was promptly tested. It registered positive for fentanyl. Also present were two metal straws and burnt aluminum foil.
Watson was arrested for petty theft, fentanyl possession, and possession of burglarized merchandise. He was booked into the county jail on $16,000 bond and remains in custody as of Thursday afternoon.
A New Smyrna Beach resident, Watson also has criminal records in Volusia County. Charges include battery, fentanyl possession, methamphetamine possession, trespassing, petty theft, and driving with a suspended license.
“This guy has been caught stealing so many times, but for some reason he thought he could get away with it in Flagler County. Of course, he quickly learned he couldn’t,” said Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly. “He even thought he could outsmart our deputies by changing his outfit and lying to them. That didn’t fool them, of course, and now this guy is in the [county jail] facing felony charges.”
Chris Gollon is a Flagler County resident since 2004, as well as a staple of the local independent music scene and avid observer of Central Florida politics, arts, and recreation.
TR
June 27, 2025 at 1:04 pm
Not the smartest person in the world. Shoplift from a store and then hide near that store to wait for a ride. I guess he didn’t think it all the way through. Smart people know not to hide near the place you committed the crime because police will soon be there and will be doing a search of the area. Career shoplifter? ha, makes him even more dumb.He needs to find a new line of work.