Full Notification

We are proud to report that our officers arrested another package thief late Tuesday thanks to a pro-active investigation and home security video. 

On Tuesday, January 16th, 2018, at about 11PM, an SMPD Officer was patrolling the area of E 5th Ave/Fremont st when he saw a man identified as 19-year-old Eddy Alvarez, with whom he had prior police contacts with. 

The Officer recalled observing a home security video that showed Alvarez stealing a package from a residence in the area. Alvarez was found to be in possession of stolen property and was arrested. Alvarez was transported to San Mateo County Jail for possession of stolen mail. SMPD Officers pursued the investigation further and identified two co-conspirators, 23-year-old Gabriela Romero and 48-year-old Tautai Tonga. Romero and Tonga were issued citations for drug influence and possession of stolen property.

This investigation would not have been possible without the assistance of our community members equipping their homes with security cameras. If you have public facing video with your home security system on we encourage you to sign up for our N.E.S.T program- Neighborhood Eyes Security Team. SMPD compiles a list of privately owned security cameras to enhance crime prevention and enhance public safety. In many San Mateo cases, available security video has added the critical piece of information that helps break the case. Learn more and sign up on our City of San Mateo website https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/2726/Video-Surveillance-Registration.