Full Notification

On Tuesday, June 28, 2016, at approximately 4:22 PM, the Menlo Park Police Department received a call reporting an armed robbery that had just occurred at the Ravenswood Pier (SR-84 at the Dumbarton Bridge). The caller reported that a private bus driver was approached by a subject armed with a handgun and demanded that the driver turn over his iPad. The driver complied with the subjects demands and then left the area, calling his employer who then called police.

Menlo Park police officers responded to the area and located the described armed robber in a parked vehicle with another person, still at the Ravenswood Pier. The suspect failed to follow officer’s orders and fled the area in their vehicle, eastbound on SR-84 and over the Dumbarton Bridge. As the suspect vehicle approached SR-84 and 880, the driver swerved and struck another motorist causing damage to both vehicles. Despite damaging his vehicle, the suspect continued to drive eastbound on SR-84, striking the center divider causing additional damage to his vehicle. The driver continued eastbound on Decoto Road. As the suspect approached the intersection of Decoto Road and Alvarado-Niles Road, the suspect swerved over into the oncoming lanes of traffic. Due to the erratic driving behavior of the suspect and the risks it was presenting to other motorists and pedestrians in the area, Menlo Park officers terminated their pursuit as it was becoming apparent that the risks of continuing it outweighed the risks, resulting in the suspect’s escape.

Approximately 30 minutes later, Union City police received a report of a possible carjacking in progress on Alvarado-Niles Road approximately a mile north of Decoto Road. Officers immediately responded to the area, established a perimeter, conducted a search, and located the suspects fleeing on foot nearby. Officers from Menlo Park responded to the location and positively identified the subjects as the same ones involved in the pursuit. Officers also located the vehicle the suspects fled in, abandoned in a nearby parking lot.

Richard Joseph Espinoza, a 39-year-old male from Bay Point, was arrested and booked into the San Mateo County jail by the Menlo Park Police Department for armed robbery, felony evading, felony hit-and-run, felony DUI and resisting arrest.

Rayna Renteria Slone, a 38-year-old female from Pittsburg, was arrested and booked into the San Mateo County jail by for being under the influence of a controlled substance and resisting arrest.

The iPad that was stolen from the bus driver was later recovered. At this time, no handgun has been located.

The Menlo Park Police is asking anyone who might have information about this case, and/or who witnessed this incident, to call Menlo Park Police Corporal Luevano at (650) 330-6843 or the Menlo Park Police anonymous tip hotline at (650) 330-6395. This is an ongoing investigation and there is not additional information to be released at this time.