WCBC

November 8th, 2012 by WCBC Radio

On Thursday morning, 11/08/2012, the Mineral County Sheriff’s Department arrested 35 year old Jerome Joseph Phillips III of Cumberland, Maryland, after a warrant for his arrest had been obtained by Investigators with the Allegany County Combined Criminal Investigation Unit (C3I).  Phillips was wanted in connection with a Robbery which occurred in the area of Hilltop Drive and Louisiana Avenue, Cumberland Allegany County, Maryland.  

            On Monday, 11/06/2012, at approximately 3:20 P.M., the Cumberland City Police Department responded to the area of Hilltop Drive and Louisiana Avenue for a reported robbery. During the course of the investigation, it was learned that a lone male suspect approached the 49 year old male victim at a business on Baltimore Street in Cumberland and requested a ride to Hilltop Drive.  The victim agreed to give the suspect a ride and when the suspect was exiting the victim’s vehicle near the intersection of Hilltop Drive and Louisiana Avenue, he pushed the victim back and reached for a bag containing several prescription bottles.  The prescription bag tore and the suspect again attempted to obtain possession of the bag. The victim then struck the suspect in the face.  The suspect was able to get one of the prescription bottles and fled from the area on foot.  A search of the suspect was conducted; however he was not located on the day of the crime. The victim was not injured and no weapon was displayed during this robbery.

            The video surveillance from the business where the suspect approached the victim was reviewed, and video of the suspect was obtained. A still photo of the suspect was provided to law enforcement personnel.

            As a result of the review of the photo by law enforcement personnel, and interviews, Phillips was developed as a suspect and an arrest warrant was issued for his arrest

Phillips has been charged with Robbery and Theft.  He is incarcerated in West Virginia pending extradition to Maryland.

            The investigation is continuing by the Cumberland City Police Department and C3I.