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.
