Video Released of Alleged Bay Area Crime Spree Ending in Police Shooting
On April 21, 2025, a series of alarming events unfolded in the Bay Area, culminating in a police-involved shooting. The Concord Police Department has now made available video footage that outlines a brazen armed robbery and a subsequent high-speed chase spanning over 50 miles.
The crime wave began around 9:40 a.m. when two masked individuals entered the Diablo Valley Credit Union located on Detroit Avenue in Concord. Both men, identified as Cruz Vargas (29) and Elijah Phillips (21), allegedly brandished firearms while robbing the tellers of an undisclosed sum of money.
The Pursuit
Following the robbery, law enforcement quickly mobilized. A Concord officer spotted the suspects’ vehicle on Monument Boulevard near Interstate 680 and initiated a chase. The suspects, evading capture, headed southbound on I-680.
Faced with heavy traffic in Sunol, the suspects experienced vehicle failure and resorted to carjacking a Tesla at gunpoint. However, their escape was thwarted when the Tesla driver managed to disable the vehicle. Subsequently, the pair hijacked a second vehicle, allowing a mother and her two children to escape unharmed.
As the pursuit continued into San Jose, dashcam footage recorded the suspects recklessly running multiple red lights and surpassing speeds of 60 miles per hour. After a brief moment of losing sight of the suspects, officers tracked them down to Mabury Road, where the vehicle ultimately crashed.
Confrontation with Police
After the crash, the suspects fled on foot. One suspect, Vargas, armed with a handgun featuring a high-capacity drum magazine, attempted to carjack another vehicle but was shot by a police officer during the chase. Footage captured from a dashcam reveals the tense moment.
Despite injuring his leg from the gunfire, Vargas managed to run a short distance before being apprehended. He was subsequently transported to a hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, Phillips was captured shortly after and was found in possession of cash taken from the credit union.
Legal Proceedings
Vargas now faces a slew of charges filed by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, including:
- Three counts of felony robbery
- Felony evading
- Two counts of carjacking
- Attempted carjacking
- Possession of a machine gun
- Hit-and-run
Phillips is facing charges that include:
- Three counts of felony robbery
- Two counts of carjacking
- Possession of a machine gun
The investigations surrounding the bank robbery, carjackings, and subsequent police pursuit have involved both the Concord Police and the San Jose Police Department, as well as the Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office. As of now, both Vargas and Phillips remain in custody, with court appearances scheduled for July 10.
Incident Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of Incident | April 21, 2025 |
| Location of Robbery | Diablo Valley Credit Union, Concord |
| Suspects | Cruz Vargas, Elijah Phillips |
| Charges Filed | Multiple felony charges including robbery and carjacking |
