String Of Armed Robberies Lead To Arrest In San Jose

SAN JOSE, CA — A San Jose man suspected in a string of armed robberies targeting multiple businesses in recent months has been arrested, according to police.

The investigation began in August when a worker at a convenience store on Blossom Hill Road called 911 to report an armed robbery. A worker told patrol officers a man had entered the store with a gun and demanded money but ran from the scene when no cash was produced.

Robbery detectives took over the case and eventually identified a suspect and said he was linked to five other armed robbery cases around the city reported between December and February:

Authorities identified the suspect Thursday as Samih Stephan, 55, of San Jose. The robbery unit secured arrest and search warrants for Stephan's home and took him into custody on March 19. He was booked into the Main Jail on suspicion of armed robbery. Police allege Stephan stole more than $3,000 during the robberies.