FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - A manhunt for a suspect in a double murder in Alabama ended in South Florida when, police said, a stolen car the fugitive was riding in crashed in Hollywood.
According to police, 23-year-old Zachary Taylor Phillips, who is wanted for a double murder in Birmingham, crashed into parked cars near West Dixie Highway and Roosevelt Street, at around 3 p.m., Friday.
He was then taken into custody by Hollywood Police.
This is the car murder suspect Zachary Phillips crashed today while running from @HollywoodFLPD. He’s wanted in connection w/killing #Alabama couple. Link to Phillips came Thurs. after @MiamiBeachPD cops pulled over Phillips’ friend Kristen Gullion in stolen car. @wsvn #7News pic.twitter.com/jGNDuR2lBD
— Sheldon Fox-7 News (@fox_sheldon) August 10, 2018
7News captured the stolen Ford Mustang convertible with its blinkers on. The impact caused the vehicles air bags to deploy.
Officials said the suspect took down a sign for the intersection of Roosevelt Street and Dixie Highway before coming to a stop.
According to investigators, Hollywood Police officers had spotted the Mustang, early Friday morning. At around 12:30 p.m., they located the sports car in the area of Sheridan Street and 24th Avenue.
The Mustang sped away when officers tried to pull it over. The vehicle later crashed.
Police took the woman behind the wheel into custody. Officials identified her as Vivian De La Rosa Toniana.
Investigators said Phillips, who was sitting in the passenger seat and was believed to be armed, took off on foot. However, SWAT and K9 units were called, and officers were able to track down the suspect.
A K9 unit found the suspect hiding in a yard along the 2100 block of Roosevelt Street.
Phillips is wanted for the murders of Mary and Joe Holt at a Birmingham home. Police said the couple was killed on Aug. 2. Mary was 67 years old and Joe was 68.
Officers found out Phillips was in South Florida after 30-year-old Kristin Gullion was arrested by Miami Beach Police, Thursday. Gullion was pulled over in a Honda Civic that was parked illegally along the 100 block of South Pointe Drive.
When Gullion was pulled over, officers ran the plates on the car and discovered it was connected to the murder. According to Birmingham Police, the Civic belonged to the Holts.
Phillips was bitten by the K9. He was taken to an area hospital for treatment.
Police from Alabama have been in South Florida since Friday morning, and they could spend part of the weekend questioning Phillips once he is transferred to Broward County Jail. He is expected to be extradited to Alabama after he recovers from the dog bite.
Gullion is facing a grand theft auto charge.
Police said the Mustang Phillips was riding in had been stolen in South Beach.
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