In mid-July staff from multiple units collaborated to identify and arrest a dangerous suspect involved in committing auto burglaries in our community. The investigation began on July 9, 2018, at 6:42 a.m., when a Community Service Officer responded to the parking lot of City Sports, located in the 39100 block of Farwell Pl. to investigate two auto burglaries that had just occurred. The CSO was able to obtain video surveillance from the business, which showed a grey Volvo S60 or S80 4-door, with an unknown license plate. The vehicle backed into a parking stall and a male got out and broke the windows of the victim vehicles. The suspect then removed items located inside the vehicles, including a wallet, banks cards, a backpack containing a laptop.
Following the report, the Community Service Officer notified detectives from the General Crimes Unit of the incidents and video surveillance. Detectives took over the investigation. Upon review of the incident and video evidence, the investigating detective checked the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center (NCRIC) database and specifically looked for license plate reader data associated to a Volvo traveling westbound through the City’s community camera system located at Mowry Avenue and the entrance to I880. The detective located the license plate for a Volvo S80 and found the registered owner’s address in Hayward. Upon further review, the registered owner was found to be on active probation, with a search clause for carrying a concealed firearm.
The Volvo S80, along with an Infiniti was located at the registered owner’s address and further investigative steps were taken to positively identify Armani Phillips (21 year-old Hayward resident) as the suspect. On July 17, 2018, officers obtained a RAMEY warrant for the arrest of Phillips and on July 19, 2018; a search warrant was signed for Phillips’ residence in Hayward.
Due to Philips having a pending assault with a firearms case, the Fremont Police SWAT Team was activated for the warrant service. On July 20, 2018, Phillips was contacted by members of the Fremont SWAT Team inside his Infiniti sedan parked near his house in Hayward. Initially, Phillips was non-compliant and shifted his vehicle in reverse, attempting to escape by driving his car into our police vehicles. SWAT Team members were able to thwart Phillips attempt and safely took him into custody.
Upon securing the vehicle, officers found a loaded pistol on the floorboard near Phillips’ legs. The firearm was later determined to have been stolen out of a parked vehicle.
During a search of the Phillips’ residence, multiple items of stolen property were located. Detectives have been able to associate Phillips with five auto burglaries in Fremont and believe based on statements and evidence, he likely committed additional crimes in the area.
Detective Sergeant Jason Lambert stated, “If it weren’t for the Department’s use of automated license plate reader cameras, we would not have been able to solve this case. This is a great example of how our private-community video partnership is working to solve crimes involving prolific offenders in our City.”
Armani Phillips, a 21 year old Hayward resident, was booked into the Fremont Jail on the following charges:
PC 2900 (a) (1) – Felon in possession of a firearm
PC 496 (a) – Receiving known stolen property
PC 12022.1 – Committing a felony while out on bail
PC 459 – Burglary (3 counts)
Ramey Warrant for auto burglary and identity theft
Anyone with information about this case is asked to please contact Detective Omeed Zargham at 510-790-6900 or via email at [email protected]. We will also accept anonymous tips. Please text TIP FREMONTPD followed by your message to 888-777, or via the web at https://local.nixle.com/tip/alert/6216337.
