Full Notification

MEDIA RELEASE / COMMUNITY ALERT
CITY of SAN MATEO POLICE DEPARTMENT
200 Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org

Alert Neighbor Helps SMPD Nab a Pair of Burglars


Monday April 2nd, 11:43 am –

An alert community member notified SMPD of a suspicious circumstance on the unit block of Poinsettia Ave. Two subjects were observed exiting a house on the block carrying a TV and other property – the observant reporting witness relayed a vehicle description (Red Mustang) and a license plate. SMPD Officers responded to find the suspects gone from the Poinsettia address, but discovered that a burglary had been committed there. A Be-on-the-Lookout alert was sent out to local law enforcement agencies, and SMPD enlisted the assistance of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office in checking the registered address of the vehicle on the 3400 block of Bayshore in Unincorporated Redwood City. Sherriff’s Deputies coordinated with SMPD Detectives in locating and detaining the suspects, identified as Bruno Silva and James Cruz, both Redwood City Residents. Numerous items stolen from the Poinsettia address were recovered from the suspects.

ARRESTED:
Bruno Silva, a 20 year-old Redwood City Resident – Booked into San Mateo County Jail for Burglary, Possession of Stolen Property, and Conspiracy
James Cruz, a 20 year-old Redwood City Resident – Booked into San Mateo County Jail for Burglary, Possession of Stolen Property, and Conspiracy

Media Follow-up:
Investigators are still actively working on this case to recover all of the stolen property, and to see if there are other similar cases related to these suspects. Due to the ongoing nature of the case, any Media Follow-up questions may be directed to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office. Booking photos of these suspects are not available from SMPD.

SAFETY TIPS:
Some tips to help prevent you from becoming a victim of a daytime residential burglary include:
Be Prepared:
• Engrave a personal identification number on valuable items such as electronics.
• Take close-up detailed photos of jewelry and other valuable items.
• Prepare a personal property inventory of valuable items which includes the items' serial numbers.
• Every layer of security helps – deterrents like dogs, alarm systems (and even alarm signs and stickers), and Neighborhood Watch signs add one more thing to deter potential burglars.
Be alert:
• Do not be afraid to call the police when you see something suspicious. Alert neighbors are responsible for the majority of arrests made in residential burglaries (like this one!).
• Lock all your doors and windows when you leave (even if it’s only for a few minutes).

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
A quick arrest in this case would not have been possible without the alert observations of a helpful neighbor. Please help us make your neighborhood safer and take a stand against crime. Please report all criminal behavior, join a neighborhood watch program, and help anyone that might fall victim to a crime. If a Neighborhood Watch doesn’t exist on your block, you can start one with help from SMPD. For additional information about the City of San Mateo Neighborhood Watch Program, call Sergeant Dave Norris at (650)522-7626 or visit our web http://www.cityofsanmateo.org/index.aspx?NID=675 .

Anyone with information on current investigations or ongoing crime trends is encouraged to contact the San Mateo Police Department:


SMPD Investigations Bureau: 522-7650

SMPD Secret Witness hotline: 522-7676

Anonymous Text to SMPD: 262-3473

Anonymous E-Mail to SMPD: [email protected]



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This ‘Press Release / Community Information' is being sent to you by The Public Information Office of the San Mateo Police Department. We at the SMPD take pride in alerting our community partners about activities and current events relevant to neighborhood incidents.