MEDIA RELEASE / COMMUNITY ALERT
For Immediate Release No. 20190328-024
Thursday, March 28, 2019
SMPD Arrests Three Auto Burglars Following Vehicle Pursuit
San Mateo Police Department’s auto burglary suppression detail resulted in three arrests after a string of auto burglaries plagued San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties this week by multiple auto burglary crews.
San Mateo, CA – On Wednesday, March 27, 2019, at 8 p.m. San Mateo Police Department’s Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) located suspects after they burglarized a car in one “hot spot” and began prowling in another. As officers closed in, the suspects fled and led officers on a chase that took them across the San Mateo Bridge and into an unincorporated area of Alameda County. After a short foot pursuit, SMPD arrested three suspects.
San Mateo Police responded to a report of an auto burglary in the 4300 block of Olympic Avenue. A description of the suspect vehicle was provided to officers by an observant member of the public, and very soon after, SMPD’s burglary suppression team located the suspect vehicle in the Marina Plaza Shopping Center near S Norfolk Street / E Hillsdale Blvd. At the sight of officers, the suspect vehicle fled, leading officers on a pursuit across the San Mateo Bridge into Alameda County.
At the pursuit’s termination point, officers had to give chase to the suspects on foot and were able to safely capture them. A search of the suspects’ vehicle revealed several items that are now under investigation by police in connection with auto burglaries. The suspects were arrested and transported to San Mateo County Jail on multiple charges.
Like many cities across San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, the city of San Mateo has experienced a high number of auto burglaries this week. Since Monday, there have been fifteen auto burglaries alone and we identified “hot spots” that were mostly at retail and restaurant parking lots. Typically, suspects are known to look into cars for valuables (i.e. laptop bags, purses, electronics, etc.), break the window for access, and flee within 60 seconds or less. The San Mateo Police Department recognizes auto burglaries are our primary crime and we have an ongoing auto burglary suppression detail to combat and interrupt auto burglaries. We are taking steps to combat auto burglaries and are asking for our community’s help to protect themselves by not leaving any valuables in plain view, locking their doors, and reporting suspicious activity.
Law enforcement is solving more crimes thanks to surveillance cameras and license plate reader systems. Partnerships with our active neighborhood watch, social media platforms, and surveillance technologies, allow the San Mateo Police Department to identify criminals and make San Mateo an unfriendly place for thieves. Our officers regularly canvass for surveillance and you can help us by notifying SMPD if you have security cameras at www.cityofsanmateo.org/NEST.
ARRESTED
Alexxandria Chambers, 20-year-old Hayward resident
Charges: Evading police (2800.2 CVC), second degree burglary (460(b) PC), possession of stolen property (496(a) PC), and conspiracy to commit crime (182(a)1 PC).
Anthony Dennis, 22-year-old Oakland resident
Charges: Second degree burglary (460(b) PC), possession of stolen property (496(a) PC), conspiracy to commit crime (182(a)1 PC), and possession of burglary tools (466 PC).
Richard Hardman, 20-year-old San Leandro resident
Charges: Second degree burglary (460(b) PC), possession of stolen property (496(a) PC), conspiracy to commit crime (182(a)1 PC), and possession of burglary tools (466 PC).
MEDIA CONTACT
Michael Haobsh
Public Information Officer
Community & Media Relations
San Mateo Police Department
Desk: 650-522-7626
Email: [email protected]
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