At approximately 1:00 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, CMPD’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) along with the Fayetteville Police Department apprehended and arrested Mark Anthony Cox, DOB: 11/05/1989 at 770 Hedgelawn Way in Cumberland County. Danielle Marie Watson’s vehicle was located at a nearby apartment complex. CMPD Homicide Detectives traveled to Fayetteville, NC to interview Mr. Cox before being transported to Intake in Mecklenburg County.
The Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department would like to thank the Fayetteville Police Department for their assistance in the apprehension of Mr. Cox. Following was the course of the investigation:
During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Ms. Watson’s fiancé received a phone call which led him to believe that there was some type of commotion at the Flying Biscuit, at 7930 Rea Road. The phone call was an open line; there was no communication. The fiancé received the phone call at approximately 10:15 p.m. As time went on, the fiancé became more concerned for Ms. Watson’s safety. After Ms. Watson failed to respond to repeated text messages and phone calls, her fiancé called 911 at 12:05 a.m., on Saturday, January 14, 2012, to report that he needed the police to respond to the Flying Biscuit. He told 911 that Ms. Watson called him and hung up abruptly and that he heard some type of commotion in the background and believed that the business was being robbed.
A call for service was entered for a non-existent business named Plum Biscuits at 3930 Rea Road. The officer responded to the address, which was a private residence and did not receive an answer at the door. The officer then drove to a nearby shopping complex to attempt to locate any businesses that matched the name of Plum Biscuits. Due to the address entered into the call, the officer did not respond to the Flying Biscuit.
Detectives have signed warrants on Mark Anthony Cox, DOB: 11/05/1989, charging him with the murder of Ms. Watson and two counts of Armed Robbery. Mr. Cox was a co-worker of Ms. Watson; he has not yet been arrested. We are asking that anyone who knows the whereabouts of Mr. Cox please call 911 immediately. In addition, it is believed that Mr. Cox fled the scene in Ms. Watson’s car, which has still not been located. The vehicle description is a 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier two door, NC registration: ZYX1952; baby blue in color. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit Detective. Detective Morales is the lead detective assigned to the case. In addition, you may also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Homicide Unit are conducting a homicide investigation related to the robbery of The Flying Biscuit Café, located at 7930 Rea Road in the South Division. The initial call for service came in at 6:24 a.m., on Saturday, January 14, 2012, in regards to what was thought at the time to be a larceny. The victim has been identified as Danielle Marie Watson, DOB: 04/29/1986.
South Division patrol officers responded to the Flying Biscuit early this morning in reference to a suspected larceny. As officers were still on the scene conducting their investigation, they were notified by an employee of Allied Waste Services that a body was behind the trash dumpster that he was attempting to empty. The body was that of Ms. Watson, an employee of the Flying Biscuit. At this time, Ms. Watson’s vehicle is unaccounted for. We are asking that if anyone sees her vehicle, that they call 911 immediately. The vehicle is a 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier two door, NC registration: ZYX1952; baby blue in color. A photo of the actual vehicle is attached to this e-mail. The investigation is in its early stages. As additional information develops, it will be released by CMPD Public Affairs.
Crime Scene Search responded to the call for service to process the scene and collect physical evidence. Detectives with the Robbery Unit responded to the scene to assist in the investigation. Representatives of the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Homicide Prosecution Team responded to the scene as well
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit Detective. Detective Morales is the lead detective assigned to the case. In addition, you may also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. For additional information, reference CMPD complaint number 2012-0114-062401.
