MANCHESTER, NH – Manchester Police arrested a man at Panera Bread at 4:15 p.m. on July 28 after the manager called to report an unwanted customer. The manager advised the officers that the man was playing loud and offensive music prior to passing out in a chair inside the restaurant.
Officers Edwin Sepulveda and Stephen Bates woke the sleeping customer, later identified as John Watkins, 49, no fixed address, who grew agitated with the officers. He refused to provide a name or date of birth while yelling profanities at the officers in front of at least 20 customers and staff members.
Watkins finally stood up and took a fighting stance with the officers as they were about to place him into custody. He fought with the officers and refused to be placed into handcuffs, so he was transitioned to the ground where he continued to struggle with them.
Officers finally placed Watkins into custody and transported him to police headquarters. He was booked and charged with criminal threatening, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest/detention.
On July 31, 2017, Watkins was arrested a second time, this time at 10 p.m. near Granite and Canal streets. A 28 year-old woman alleged Watkins had threatened her with a knife minutes before police arrived on scene.
The alleged victim stated she was approached by Watkins, a man she claimed she barely knew, behind Market Basket. He allegedly told her that he wanted to hang out at which time she told him to leave her alone. Watkins allegedly grabbed a knife from her pocket and threatened to kill her with it. She was visibly shaken when she spoke with Officer Eric MacDuff and again stated she barely knew Watkins, but was afraid he would follow through with his threats.
Officer Jack Dunleavy located Watkins a short time later in the area of Granite and Canal streets. He was in possession of the described folding knife, so he was arrested and charged with criminal threatening, convicted felon in possession of a deadly weapon and violation of bail conditions. He is scheduled to appear in the 9th Circuit Court-Manchester on August 1, 2017.
New Hampshire State Police notified Manchester Police earlier this morning that Watkins’ fingerprints were associated with multiple aliases and date of births. They also advised that he had a full extraditable warrant out of Georgia for terrorist threats and acts, so he will also be charged with fugitive from justice.
