1 arrested for robbing Asian couple of Rolex outside 99 Ranch Market in Rowland Heights; second suspect still at large
An arrest has been made in a violent robbery outside a 99 Ranch Market in Rowland Heights, but police say one suspect remains at large.
Demoryie Watts, 21, was arrested Friday and booked on suspicion of felony armed robbery. He is being held on $150,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.
Authorities say Watts was arrested at a home in the 45000 block of Avenue in Lancaster after investigators served search warrants there and in Los Angeles early Friday morning.
Investigators believe Watts and an accomplice robbed an Asian couple who were loading purchases into their car on July 9, a crime that was captured on cell phone video and widely seen on social media.
"This specific crime was shocking to all because it occurred during broad daylight and at a peaceful community in Rowland Heights," a statement from the LA County Sheriff's Department said. "According to investigators, there is no evidence to indicate the subjects were motivated by hate."
Both suspects were armed and demanded the Rolex one of them was wearing. Before the watch could be handed over, authorities say the suspects attacked, forcing both of them to the ground, and the watch was forced off the man's wrist.
They were last seen leaving the scene in a light-colored Dodge Challenger with traffic collision damage to the rear passenger fender and paper plates.
A man in his 60s and a woman in her 50s suffered minor injuries in the attack, but did not go to the hospital.
According to the sheriff's department, Watts was determined to be on parole for a prior carjacking arrest at the time of the robbery.
Authorities did not release a description of the second suspect. The vehicle and a handgun believed to have been used in the robbery have been found, but the Rolex was not recovered when Watts was arrested.
