Lexington man in camouflage mask arrested during vehicle break in

A Lexington man was arrested and charged with breaking into a vehicle by the Lexington Police Department.

Michael Phillips was charged with Breaking into a Motor Vehicle and Resisting Arrest, according to public information officer Cpl. Cameron Mortenson.

At approximately 4:30 a.m. on July 6, Phillips was found breaking into a vehicle while officers were investigating a call of a suspicious person in the area of the 200 block of Rama Lane, near the intersection of Park Road and West Main Street, Mortenson said.

Phillips was in the front passenger seat of the vehicle, attempting to conceal himself from the officer’s view, said Mortenson, adding Phillips ignored the officer’s commands and tried to kick the door of the vehicle open several times to flee on foot. Phillips continued to resist while the officer was placing handcuffs on his wrists.

Phillips, who was dressed in black with a camouflage facemask with a rubber glove on his hand, was taken to the Lexington County Detention Center, where he was held on a bond of $4,625, Mortenson said.

“Though officers patrol neighborhoods both day and night, having citizens call when a suspicious person or vehicle is seen can be a huge help in preventing crime and in this case assisted in an arrest,” said Chief Terrence Green. “If you see something, please say something. Being proactive rather than reactive greatly increases neighborhood safety.”

Over the past two weeks there have been a series of vehicle break-ins in the neighborhoods along Park Road, which have included the theft of several handguns.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Lexington Police Department at 803-359-6260, or Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.