A Milpitas man arrested this week in connection with two recent home break-ins allegedly assaulted a police officer by ramming his car into an unmarked police vehicle, authorities said.
Lukus James Phillips, 43, was arrested Tuesday following an investigation into a Feb. 6 home burglary and another break-in on Feb. 27.
In the first burglary, Phillips broke into a home in the 600-block of Berkshire Place around 2 a.m. Feb. 6.
On Feb. 27, officers said he attempted a second burglary at a home on the 1100 block of Eagle Ridge Way but fled when the homeowner confronted him. In both incidents, Phillips allegedly turned off the power to the targeted home.
A tip about a suspicious vehicle parked on Ethyl Court led officers to identify Phillips as the suspect in the two burglaries and Milpitas detectives obtained a $100,000 court-approved warrant Feb. 28 for his arrest.
Officers located Phillips' vehicle March 3 on the 300 block of Junipero Drive and waited until he got into the vehicle to try to detain him. Phillips then allegedly rammed his 2003 Mitsubishi Montero head-on into an unmarked police car and became wedged between multiple vehicles.
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Detectives eventually convinced Phillips to exit the vehicle and were able to arrest him without incident.
The detective in the unmarked police vehicle sustained injuries as a result of the collision and was taken to a local hospital. He was later released and is expected to make a full recovery.
Phillips was booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail on charges of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, resisting arrest by force or violence and an arrest warrant for two burglaries.
Residents with more information about the burglaries can contact Milpitas police at (408) 586-2400 or the department's anonymous tip hotline at (408) 586-2500.
