18-year-old Raphael Jobehdari refused to give his mother, Maricely Valdes, her keys back on July 4th. On July 5th, Valdes told officers that on July 3rd, her car keys were in her purse, and she noticed later that evening that they were missing. She further explained that on July 4th, she saw Jobehdari with her keys in her hand, so she asked for them back. However, he would not return the keys to her. Valdes stated that she had not seen her keys since, adding that she and Jobehdari had been back and forth from their residence. Valdes added that she had asked several times for her car keys, but Jobehdari did not return them. She said that he had never been allowed to use her car. A warrant was then issued for his arrest that day.
Later, On July 18th, Jobehdari was speeding on Dickerson Pike. Officers noticed him going 52 mph in a 40 mph zone and conducted a traffic stop at Moss Trail. When the police approached the vehicle, they smelled a strong odor of marijuana. They observed Jobehdari showing nervous behavior, avoiding eye contact, sweating profusely, and moving excessively. After Jobehdari gave officers his identification, the passenger stated that the car belonged to her mother and didn’t know where the registration was. Officers asked her and Jobehdari if there was any more marijuana in the vehicle due to the smell. The passenger said the marijuana was in the armrest, which was when Jobehdari changed his posture as if he were about to drive away. After this, the police instructed them to exit the vehicle. Jobehdari then pulled off, heading south on Dickerson Pike at a high rate of speed, and nearly struck a driver in the process. Officers later discovered that he had an outstanding warrant for theft. Additional warrants were then issued for Jobehdari’s arrest that day.
On August 31st, at 6:30 p.m., Jobehdari was captured on video driving to Zeppelin Phillips’s Hallbourogh Way residence in his blue Mazda 3. While at the location, Jobehdari shot Phillips twice. Phillips was transported to the hospital and was later pronounced deceased. Then, on September 1st, a search warrant was executed at Jobehdari’s Carl Miller Drive residence. Officers located the vehicle and gun used in the homicide during their search. Officers also found text messages between Jobehdari and Phillips showing them arranging a gun transaction. Phillips paid Jobehdari $440 on Cash App before Jobehdari shot him. Another warrant was issued for Jobehdari’s arrest. Jobehdari was later taken into custody for theft, reckless driving, evading arrest with a motor vehicle, and criminal homicide on September 2nd.
