On May 9, 2018, at approximately 8:40 p.m., an armed robbery occurred at the Lowe's Home Improvement store located in the 43000 block of Pacific Commons Blvd in Fremont. As the suspect approached the register area of the store he lifted the front of his shirt and grabbed a black semi-automatic handgun from his waistband. The store employees became fearful and backed away from the register for their personal safety. The suspect verbally threatened to shoot the employees if they didn’t back away. The suspect picked up the two items he had been carrying and quickly exited the store. Store employees and witnesses saw the suspect fleeing the scene in what was described as a white colored 4-door Sedan.
On May 18, 2018, at approximately 4:00 p.m. two victims (a 93 year old and a 64 year old) were violently robbed in the City of Concord. During the commission of that crime, the 93 year old woman, was knocked to the ground, suffering significant injuries and remains hospitalized. Very clear surveillance images of the suspect and suspect vehicle were captured. The images were distributed to local police agencies and the public in an effort to identify the suspect. The suspect depicted in the surveillance appeared to match the distinctive description of the suspect in the May 9 armed robbery in our City.
In response to the photos of the suspect being released, the Concord Police Department received numerous calls and tips from community members. The information assisted detectives with the Concord Police Department to identify the suspect as Otto Halafihi (29 y/o male; Oakland resident). Concord Police Detectives reached out to the Fremont Police Department Crimes Against Person(s) unit to provide information on the suspect in common. Arrest warrants for Halafihi were authored for both the Concord and Fremont robbery cases. Detectives from Concord PD, Fremont PD and Oakland PD jointly coordinated efforts to locate and safely arrest Halafiti.
On the late evening hours of Wednesday, May 23, 2018, Halafihi turned himself in to Concord PD Detectives at a police sub-station in Patterson, California. Video surveillance evidence, victim statements, witness identifications, license plate reader information and suspect statements tied Halafihi to both the Concord and Fremont crimes.
"We wish to thank the members of the Concord Police Department detective unit for reaching out so quickly regarding this violent and armed robbery suspect," said Fremont Police Lieutenant Michael Tegner. "This was a great effort by many to solve these cases so quickly and safely apprehend the suspect. Further, the use of community-based video surveillance cameras and automated license plate readers again provided invaluable evidence in the Fremont robbery."
Halafihi has been transported back to Contra Costa County where he is being charged with Robbery and Elder Abuse for the Concord robberies. Halafihi is also being held on the Fremont robbery warrant. The Fremont armed robbery case will be presented to the Alameda County District Attorney for charging on May 25, 2018.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to please call the Fremont Police Department’s Investigative Unit at 510-790-6900 or email Detective Gebhardt at [email protected]. The Fremont Police Department will also accept anonymous tips. Text TIP FREMONTPD followed by your message to 888-777, or sent a tip via the web at https://local.nixle.com/tip/alert/6216337.
