Suspect arrested burglarizing cars at shooting range, police say

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A man accused of burglarizing multiple cars at a Fox Meadows-area shooting range is now in jail.

Robert Watkins, 40, is charged with two counts of burglary of a vehicle, identity theft and criminal trespass.

According to Memphis police, around 5 a.m. Wednesday, officers responded to a prowler call at the Global Indoor Shooting Range and Archery on South Mendenhall Road.

The store’s security guard said he saw the suspect, later identified as Watkins, enter the parking lot after hours. That’s when the suspect was caught breaking into unlocked vehicles and stealing items.

Watkins was later arrested when officers saw him walking north on South Mendenhall Road. Police said he had two toolboxes containing various tools.

When police asked the suspect for his name, he gave them a false name and age three times before telling the truth.

The suspect told police he wanted to hand over the items in exchange for not going to jail because he was already on probation in Mississippi.

Watkins was arrested and taken to 201 Poplar for booking and processing.

Robert Watkins is being held in jail on $25,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in court Friday morning.