Full Notification

On 09-29-15 at 18:05 p.m., Detectives from Menlo Park Police Departments Narcotic Enforcement Team (NET) were conducting follow-up in the area of 2 Newell Court in East Palo Alto.

While at this location, detectives made contact with three individuals who were smoking marijuana in the open courtyard of the complex in full view of about 8 to 10 young children. Upon contact, one of the subjects who was later identified as Bernard Valentine, 20 years old out of East Palo Alto, attempted to flee on foot. Detectives tackled Valentine and fell to the ground. During the struggle to place him into handcuffs, a loaded semi-automatic pistol was found in Valentine’s waistband. Valentine was safely detained without injury to him or the detectives.

Further investigation revealed that the firearm that Valentine was in possession of had recently been reported stolen from a residential burglary from a neighboring city.

Valentine was booked into San Mateo County Jail for possessing a concealed loaded firearm, and possession of stolen property.

This case is under active investigation by the Menlo Park Police Department. Anyone with additional information or who may have witnessed this incident is asked to please contact the Menlo Park Police Department at (650) 330-6300 or the anonymous tip line at (650) 330-6395.