APD arrests Burglar who posed as a home inspector
ALBUQUERQUE – APD launched an investigation into a series of residential burglaries that occurred between June 26, 2023, and July 28, 2023, in various locations throughout the city. The primary suspect in these incidents has been identified as Philip Andrew Cotham Jr.
Cotham is currently facing a range of criminal charges in connection with these alleged crimes, including:
- Two counts of Residential Burglary (Case #230050626 and Case #230816486)
- Breaking and Entering (Case #230051355)
- Tampering with Evidence (Case #230051355)
- Criminal Damage to Property over $1000 (Case #230816486)
The investigation reveals that Cotham is suspected of committing multiple burglaries during the specified period. In some instances, he was reportedly seen wearing a DaBella roofing company shirt and posing as a contractor inspecting the home. Many of the victims had home surveillance cameras that greatly assisted detectives in tracking Cotham down.
During Cotham's arrest he ran from patrol officers while attempting to break into a home near Taylor Ranch. With the help of APD’s air unit, Cotham was arrested. He admitted to the burglaries, including one where a 15-year-old girl was home alone when he entered the home to steal (this case will be charged soon). Detectives later learned that Cotham was wearing jewelry from a separate burglary that had just happened that morning, but the home owner had not yet reported it.
APD's Pawn Shop Unit was able to track down some of the stolen property being resold and are working to recover as much of it as possible to return to the victims.