Armed Liquor Store Robber Caught In South Jersey: Police

SOUTH JERSEY — A man wanted for armed liquor store robberies in two South Jersey counties is in custody on multiple charges, said police.

Franklin Township and Vineland City police were investigating robberies that happened Dec. 23 and 30 at Newfield Liquor (6 Southwest Boulevard) and at H&K Liquors (1920 N. Main Road) on Jan. 15.

In all three instances, the same suspect came into the store, showed a handgun, and demanded money from the cashier, Franklin Twp. police said.

After a two-month investigation, Vineland City Police and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force arrested 42-year-old Aaron L. Watson of Philadelphia on Feb. 1. They charged him in all three cases with robbery, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm for unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, certain persons not to possess a firearm, and theft.

"Detectives conducted countless hours of physical surveillance as well as viewing video surveillance from the area to identify a suspect in these cases," township police said.

Watson is in the Cumberland County Correctional Facility pending first court appearance, said police.