Police arrested five auto burglary suspects Monday morning after an alert witness called our 24-hour dispatch center to report suspicious activity. On Monday, January 6, 2020 at around 3:39 a.m., our 24-hour dispatch center received a report of possible auto burglaries in progress. The preliminary investigation revealed that a witness observed a group of male subjects banging on car windows and the sound of car alarms in the area of Amarillo Avenue and West Bayshore Road. The first officer on scene observed a vehicle traveling southbound on Tanland Drive at Amarillo Avenue with five males inside matching the suspect descriptions. Police conducted a high risk stop of the vehicle and detained all five males. Officers located gloves, burglary tools, and several possible stolen items inside the suspect vehicle. Police canvassed the area and located a total of eight vehicles that had their windows smashed. Officers collected evidence, conducted interviews, and determined the suspects were responsible for the auto burglaries. Police contacted the victims and returned stolen property located inside the suspect’s vehicle. Police arrested 18-year-old-David Matthew Foster of Newark, 19-year-old Salvador Rodriguez, and 18-year-old David Taufur (both of East Palo Alto) and booked them into the San Jose Main Jail for auto burglary, conspiracy to commit a crime, vandalism (all felonies), and possession of burglary tools (misdemeanor). Their booking photos are attached to this news release (note: the booking photos have been removed pursuant to AB994 as of December 2023). Two 17-year-old male juveniles (both of Redwood City) were cited and released to their parents on the same charges. Detectives are investigating whether any of the suspects are responsible for other auto burglaries in the city. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call our 24-hour dispatch center at 650-329-2413. Anonymous tips can be e-mailed to [email protected] or sent via text message or voicemail to 650-383-8984. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through our free mobile app, downloadable at www.bit.ly/PAPD-AppStore or www.bit.ly/PAPD-GooglePlay.
