18 YEAR OLD MALE INDICTED FOR ARMED ROBBERIES OF OVER TWO DOZEN PEOPLE DURING TWO WEEK TIME SPAN

Posted on 12/12/2018

Defendant: Tay’Lon Maurice Watkins and Eric Head Whatley

Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien said, “This teenager committed twenty five armed robberies in fifteen incidents, and one theft in Franklin County over the time span of two weeks.”  Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien announced today that the Franklin County Grand Jury has returned a sixty three count indictment against Tay’Lon Maurice Watkins, age 18, for armed robberies that occurred between November 17^th and December 1^st, 2018 in Franklin County.  The counts in the indictment include Aggravated Robbery, Robbery, Felonious Assault, Grand Theft When the Property is a Firearm or Dangerous Ordnance, and Receiving Stolen Property (all with firearm specifications), as well as numerous counts of Having Weapons While Under Disability.  Eric Head Whatley, age 21, was also indicted in connection to three of the aggravated robberies with Watkins.  “Most of the victims were strangers to the two men, however, nine of the victims were juveniles,” O’Brien stated.  O’Brien commended the Columbus Police Department for their diligence and investigation of the case.  Arraignment for both Watkins and Whatley is set for Friday, December 14^th, 2018, at 1:30 pm in courtroom 2B at 345 S. High Street in downtown Columbus.