A 20-year-old man has been charged with criminal damage to property over $1,000 after a restaurant window was damaged by a thrown rock in Farmington, according to an affidavit for an arrest warrant filed in Farmington Magistrate Court.

The incident occurred Jan. 12, 2026, at a Taco Bell on West Main Street. Farmington police documented the reported damage and later identified a suspect through evidence and video footage, according to court records.

Dispatch to Restaurant Damage Call

According to the affidavit, a Farmington Police Department community service officer was dispatched at approximately 7:36 p.m. to the Taco Bell on West Main Street in reference to criminal damage to property.

The reporting party, identified in court records as the restaurant manager, told police that a male wearing black shoes, black pants, a black jacket, black beanie and a black backpack had arrived at the business earlier in the evening and asked customers for food.

When the individual was asked to leave, the manager reported that the man became agitated, went outside and threw a rock at a window on the south side of the building, damaging it.

Damage Documented by Police

The responding officer photographed the window and reported that it was significantly damaged by the impact. According to the affidavit, the inner layer of the glass shattered, though the rock did not pass completely through the window.

The rock itself was not located at the scene, according to the affidavit.

The restaurant manager later provided investigators with a photograph of the suspect from inside the business. Police were also informed that the suspect had left a black backpack at the scene and had been seen walking eastbound after the incident.

Backpack Recovered as Evidence

According to the affidavit, officers later recovered the backpack and entered it into evidence at the Farmington Police Department.

While inventorying the contents, police reported locating multiple documents bearing the name Michael Phillips, including booking documents containing personal identifying information. Officers also reported finding a cash assistance card and a medical card with the same name.

The inventory also included a broken Tito’s vodka bottle with liquid inside and a screw-on lid found in the backpack, according to the affidavit. Investigators collected a DNA swab from the rim of the bottle.

Additional items listed in the affidavit included empty wireless earbud cases and various personal hygiene products.

Video Footage Reviewed by Investigators

A representative of the business later provided investigators with video footage from inside the restaurant lobby.

According to the affidavit, the footage showed the suspect speaking with customers before being asked to leave the business. Customers were later seen reacting after the window was damaged.

The restaurant provided a repair quote documenting damage to the window totaling $3,737.88 after tax, according to the affidavit.

Identification of Suspect

Investigators reported that they were able to confirm the suspect’s identity by comparing a booking photograph of Michael Phillips with the individual visible in the surveillance video.

The case was then forwarded for further investigation and a request for an arrest warrant, according to the affidavit.

The case follows other recent Farmington violent crime investigations, including a shooting and assault case involving a Shiprock man earlier this year, according to court records.

Charges Filed

• Criminal Damage to Property (Over $1,000)

Case Status

Court records show an arrest warrant was issued and served March 5, 2026. The case is listed as open.

Source

Information in this article was taken from an affidavit for arrest warrant filed in Farmington Magistrate Court and prepared by the Farmington Police Department.

Michael Phillips is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Charges are allegations. No determination of guilt has been made.