(PINOLE) -- Police say a man wanted for three homicides is in jail because he tried to get his cell phone back.

Investigators looking into a home burglary say the breakthrough came when a phone started to ring.

"One of the officers hears a phone ringing over by the broken window. He finds it, and answers it," Pinole police Chief Paul Clancy said in a written statement. "The voice says, 'Hey, did you find my phone?'"

Authorities say the burglar apparently dropped the phone into the bushes after breaking into a window and then climbing out the same way.  The caller said his name as "Tony" and made arrangements to get the device back.

"Tony" turned out to be 23-year-old Anthony Ramirez, who has been linked to slayings in Rodeo, Emeryville and El Sobrante in recent months, Clancy said. "Our guy says, 'Yeah, I've got your phone,' and arranged to sell it back to him the following day. They made arrangements to meet at a laundromat on Appian Way."

Authorities say the man apparently spotted police near the laudromat and sped away.  His car crashed and police say they arrested a 17-year old passenger and found evidence linking Ramirez to several burglaries and other crimes.  Officers caught up with the suspected killer at his Pinole home several days later.

Contra Costa County Sheriff's deputies say Ramirez is wanted in connection with the April 5th beating death of Bruce King of El Sobrante and the September 28th shooting death of De Anza High School sophomore Ryan Valdez who is the suspect's half brother. 

Ramirez will face a murder charge in Alameda County in connection with the April 20, 2008, shooting death of 38-year-old Chad Clark, found dead inside his apartment on the 5500 block of Beaudry Street in Emeryville, authorities said.

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