Lathrop man arrested in armed robbery spree in Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties
A Lathrop man suspected in a string of armed robberies around San Joaquin County, as well as Turlock, was arrested by sheriff’s deputies Monday.
The suspect has been tied to nine robberies in Manteca, Lathrop, French Camp, Tracy and Turlock from Nov. 22 to Dec. 26, according to a press release from the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department.
The robberies in Turlock occurred at the Amar Fashion and Grocery Bazaar at 1081 Lander Ave. on Dec. 14 and the 7-11 at 445 Lander Ave. on Dec. 9.
The other robberies in San Joaquin County were at gas stations and mini marts.
The suspect would enter businesses with a black duffel bag slung around his shoulder. He’d pull out a large .357 Magnum revolver from the bag, hold employees and sometimes customers at gunpoint, then take large amounts of cash, bottles of alcohol, and cigars from the businesses, according to the release.
San Joaquin Deputy Alan Sanchez said a witness saw the suspect getting into a vehicle following one of the most recent robberies in Lathrop.
The vehicle description relayed by the witness helped deputies identify the suspect as 27-year-old Deandre Phillips. He was arrested during a traffic stop after leaving his Lathrop home on Monday. Sanchez said the gun used in the robberies was found on him at the time of his arrest.
Deputies searched Phillips’ home and found large amounts of money, ammunition, guns and articles of clothing matching the person in the store videos, Sanchez said.
Phillips was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on suspicion of four counts of armed robbery in the San Joaquin sheriff’s jurisdiction. Additional charges from other agencies are forthcoming, the release said.
Investigators believe Phillips was involved in more than the nine robberies identified thus far and ask anyone with information to call 209-468-4400.
This story was originally published December 29, 2020 at 4:33 PM.
