DATE: March 3, 2020
LOCATION: 300-Block Junipero Drive
CASE #: 20-063-138
VICTIM: Milpitas Police Officer
SUSPECT 1: Lukus James Phillips, 43-year-old, Milpitas resident
SUSPECT VEHICLE: 2003 Mitsubishi Montero, Silver in color
On February 6, 2020 at approximately 1:59 A.M., an unknown suspect burglarized a home on the 600-block of Berkshire Place. Prior to the burglary, the suspect turned off the power to the residence. On February 27, 2020 at approximately 3:45 A.M., an unknown suspect turned off the power to the residence on the 1100-block of Eagle Ridge Way and entered through an unlocked side garage door, where he was confronted by the homeowner and fled. Officers checked for security cameras in both neighborhoods and were able to locate video footage of the suspect and his vehicle; but the suspect could not be identified.
A Police Officer on our midnight shift became aware of the investigation and recognized the vehicle and the suspect from a prior call regarding a suspicious vehicle parked on Ethyl Court. This information helped Detectives to identify Lukus James Phillips as the suspect in these two residential burglaries. On February 28, 2020, Detectives obtained a $100,000 Ramey Arrest Warrant for Phillips and began searching for him.
On March 3, 2020, a member of the Crime Reduction Team located Phillips’ unoccupied Mitsubishi Montero on the 300-block of Junipero Drive and notified Detectives from the Special Investigations Unit. Detectives observed Phillips get into his vehicle and Detectives attempted to detain him. Phillips drove his vehicle towards an unmarked police car and intentionally rammed his Mitsubishi Montero head-on into the unmarked police vehicle. Phillips’ vehicle became wedged between several unmarked police vehicles and he was unable to escape. Phillips initially refused to exit his vehicle, but detectives were able to persuade him to exit and arrest him without further incident.
The unmarked police vehicle sustained major front-end damage and the Detective driving the vehicle was injured as a result of the impact. The Detective was transported to a nearby hospital by paramedics for medical treatment and later released. The Detective is expected to recover from his injuries.
At the conclusion of the investigation, Lukus James Phillips was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail for assault with a deadly weapon on a Police Officer, resisting arrest by force or violence, and the Ramey Arrest Warrant for the two residential burglaries.
These residential burglary investigations remained a high-priority for the Milpitas Police Department. Teamwork and proactive police work helped to identify and arrest the suspect responsible for these crimes. Lastly, we commend our Police Detectives for their professionalism and discipline during this violent confrontation.
Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Milpitas Police Department at (408) 586-2400. Additionally, the information can be given anonymously by calling the Crime Tip Hotline at (408) 586-2500 or via the Milpitas Police Department Website at: http://www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/crimetip
Press Release By: Lieutenant John Torrez #209
Date/Time: March 4, 2020; 3:30 P.M.
