SMPD arrests suspect in forceful robbery 
San Mateo Police Department detectives have identified and arrested a suspect in connection with a violent street robbery that occurred in front of a San Mateo grocery store.
On Tuesday, January 29, 2019, at about 3:30 p.m., San Mateo Police Department’s Detective Bureau and Crime Reduction Unit served an arrest warrant for Maka Tua at the 1200 Block of Monte Diablo Avenue after investigative leads identified him as a robbery suspect. According to video surveillance, Tua was seen attacking a petite female and wrestling for her wallet before pushing her to the ground.
On Monday, January 14, 2019, at about 8:30 a.m., the female victim was picking fruit from a display in front of El Toro Meat Market located at 142 N B Street. Tua had walked past the victim and returned shortly thereafter to commit the robbery. Video surveillance shows Tua reach from behind the victim as she shopped for food and grabbed her wallet. The victim struggled with Tua for her wallet and was quickly overpowered as he pushed her to the ground. Tua dropped his cellphone while fleeing from the robbery scene. The victim sustained injuries from the assault and was transported to the hospital for evaluation.
Several investigative leads, including Tua’s dropped cellphone, led investigators to his brother’s residence at the 1200 Block of Monte Diablo Avenue. Tua was arrested and transported to San Mateo County Jail on a robbery arrest warrant.
SMPD has a few robbery prevention tips to share with our community:
- Stay alert!
- Trust your instincts. If you sense danger, move away from it and call the police.
- Travel with others and walk in well-lit areas.
- Keep your valuables out of sight.
In the event of a robbery, SMPD has some helpful tips to share:
- Call 9-1-1 immediately and remain on the line.
- Don’t chase the robber. Leave this to the police.
- Don’t touch anything the robber may have touched.
- Write down a description of the robber and weapon as soon as you are able.
- If the robber had a car, write down the color, make, model, and license plate.
ARRESTED
Maka Tua 26-year-old Bay Area transient
Booking Charge: First degree robbery
MEDIA CONTACT
Officer Michael Haobsh
650.522.7626
[email protected]
Address/Location
San Mateo, CA Police Department
200 Franklin Pkwy
San Mateo, CA 94403
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 650-522-7700
TEXT-A-TIP - Text TIP SANMATEOPD followed by your message, to 888777
