San José's streets may feel a little safer tonight as the local police department celebrates the cuffs they slapped on an armed robbery suspect. 55-year-old San José resident Samih Stephan was nabbed on March 19 due to a string of thefts with local business owners on edge.
The first in the series of brazen daylight robberies occurred on August 26, 2023, when Stephan allegedly attempted to rob a business in the 800 block of Blossom Hill Road. According to a news release from the San José Police Department, the suspect brandished a firearm and demanded cash but left empty-handed after an employee couldn't produce the money.
Not deterred by the failed attempt, Stephan went on a spree. The diligent sleuths of the SJPD Robbery Unit pored over the evidence. They pinned down Stephan as the prime suspect in five additional armed robberies from December 2023 to February 2024. The locations hopscotched across the city, with heists at the 400 block of Blossom Hill Road, the 7100 block of Santa Teresa Boulevard, the 1200 block of N. 1st Street (another attempt), the 700 block of N. King Road, and the 600 block of N. 4th Street.
Throughout these alleged crimes, Stephan supposedly pocketed upwards of $3,000, according to the statement by SJPD. After securing an arrest warrant, officers descended on Stephan's residence and apprehended him without incident. The suspect now faces the music at the Santa Clara County Main Jail, awaiting trial for armed robbery.
The police are probing for more pieces to this puzzle and are asking anyone with information about these or similar cases to reach out. Detective Yee, #4342 of the San José Police Robbery Unit, is leading the charge, available by email at [email protected] or by phone at 408-277-4166.
