Margate Teen Accused of Ramming Police Vehicle, Crashing Into Mail Truck During Multi-City Chase

by Ryan Yousefi January 25, 2026

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Joseph Dexter Raymond Watson. {BSO}

A Margate teen is facing a long list of felony charges after police say he led detectives on a dangerous chase across multiple Broward County cities, crashed into a U.S. Postal Service truck, struck a police vehicle, and attempted to flee on foot before being arrested.

According to Margate Police Department arrest records, Joseph Dexter Raymond Watson IV, 18, was taken into custody late on January 20 following an investigation by the Margate Police Department’s Special Operations Division.

Detectives say they were acting on an anonymous Crimestoppers tip related to narcotics activity when they observed a Hertz rental vehicle, initially spotted near Rock Island Road. When detectives attempted a traffic stop, Watson allegedly refused to stop and instead sped away, weaving through traffic, running red lights, and entering residential neighborhoods in Margate and North Lauderdale.

Investigators say the pursuit escalated when Watson reversed the vehicle at a high rate of speed and struck the front of a detective’s patrol vehicle, prompting additional officers to begin a pursuit due to what authorities described as aggravated battery with a deadly weapon on a law enforcement officer

The chase continued until Watson crashed into a U.S. Postal Service mail truck on Oakland Park Boulevard. Police said Watson and a 17-year-old passenger then fled the scene on foot. Officers later located both suspects attempting to enter an Uber vehicle on Northwest 29th Street in Oakland Park, where they were taken into custody without further incident.

Additionally, during the chase, Watson allegedly entered the mail truck he crashed into, which led to charges of entering a secured postal facility. Investigators said the suspects entered the vehicle while attempting to evade police, and the U.S. Postal Service indicated it wished to pursue charges

Watson was booked into the Broward County Main Jail and is being held without bond.

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Ryan Yousefi

Ryan Yousefi has lived in Coral Springs for over 30 years. He has worked as a writer for multiples outlets over the years, including the Miami New Times where he has covered sports and culture since 2013. He holds a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Business Healthcare Management from Western Governors University.