gatortom64 1 Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 'Salon Bandit' Nabbed Playing PokerJoseph William Watson III By Michael Ferraresi and Shea DrefsThe Arizona RepublicSCOTTSDALE, AZ -- A former Valley journalist is suspected of being the "Salon Bandit" who robbed three Scottsdale beauty salons and as many as six other businesses, investigators said Monday.Joseph William Watson III was arrested Friday at a poker table at Casino Arizona, Indian Bend Road and Loop 101.Watson, 35, a former Phoenix New Times reporter and a former correspondent for the Arizona Republic, could face six counts of armed robbery in connection to a rash of March heists in Scottsdale, including the three salons robbed just hours apart. Other charges are pending. Watson could not be reached for comment.Scottsdale police Sgt. Mark Clark said that Watson admitted to the crimes and told detectives he was driven to steal to cover gambling debt.Watson also worked as an editor at Arizona State University's State Press student daily newspaper, an editor at Phoenix's 944 magazine, and also was published in Food and Wine and the Cape Cod Times. Investigators believe Watson robbed these Scottsdale businesses:March 28, Arista Curlz, 11162 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd.March 28, Energy Tanning, 7349 N. Via Paseo Del Sur.March 28, Tan Factory, 14651 N. Northsight Blvd. March 24, Subway restaurant, 6977 N. Hayden Road.March 2, Leslie's Swimming Pool Supply, 32409 N. Scottsdale Road.March 1, Bath and Body Works, 32421 N. Scottsdale Road.Watson was held on five counts of armed robbery. A sixth charge is pending, police said.Police said he also is under investigation in connection with two other robberies, one in Phoenix and one in Tempe. In the Scottsdale salon heists, Watson was seen on video surveillance cameras with one hand in a brown paper bag. Police said he was simulating a weapon.An anonymous caller phoned police and identified Watson after seeing the video footage on a nightly TV news broadcast.Watson reportedly quit the New Times nearly a year ago, an editor for the weekly paper said.An editor at 944 magazine said Watson worked there for only a few months.Friends of Watson said they were shocked by the robbery allegations and declined comment. Arizona Republic Link to post Share on other sites
ghostlove 0 Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 daddy??? Link to post Share on other sites
Lord_Strife 0 Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 Heh it's strange to hear about a random arrest that occured in a casino that I played in a couple times but I live across the country. Kinda interesting, good read, bad beat. Link to post Share on other sites
Oziumrules 0 Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 Damn! Now Nutzbuster aint getting his money anytime soon.... Link to post Share on other sites
Potsie P 0 Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 LOL, my buddy knows this guy. But when my buddy said, "Yeah, it sucks, he's cool but just has a bad gambling habit," I had to reply, "No he doesn't. First, he plays poker. Second, his problem isn't gambling. It's losing." Link to post Share on other sites
RuntCake 0 Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 Not as bad as the jackass that showed up at the Bay 101 and pulled out cash from a bank bag of an hour-old robbery to get chips. They cashier gave him his checks and had them call the cops. They picked up up 15 mins later raking a pot with a full house. Link to post Share on other sites
silkyjonson 1 Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 LOL, my buddy knows this guy. But when my buddy said, "Yeah, it sucks, he's cool but just has a bad gambling habit," I had to reply, "No he doesn't. First, he plays poker. Second, his problem isn't gambling. It's losing." last I checked poker is gambling. Link to post Share on other sites
nutzbuster 7 Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 ZOMG! I want a picture...I'll bet just about anything I have seen this guy.This is the 3rd creep that has made news here that used to play at CAZ. One other guys was robbing banks and a thrid guy was a notorious serial rapist! Link to post Share on other sites
socalpoker_j 1 Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 ZOMG! I want a picture...I'll bet just about anything I have seen this guy.This is the 3rd creep that has made news here that used to play at CAZ. One other guys was robbing banks and a thrid guy was a notorious serial rapist!I used to grab subs at the Subway on Hayden when I lived in Scottsdale. Those stoners sure could make a sandwich. Living in AZ for college, I was first hand witness to alot of pretty bizarre degenerate acts/propositioning for money from the weirdest mix of people at Casino AZ. Link to post Share on other sites
gatortom64 1 Posted April 4, 2007 Author Share Posted April 4, 2007 ZOMG! I want a picture...I'll bet just about anything I have seen this guy.This is the 3rd creep that has made news here that used to play at CAZ. One other guys was robbing banks and a thrid guy was a notorious serial rapist! Pics here Link to post Share on other sites
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