MEDIA RELEASE / COMMUNITY ALERT
For Immediate Release No. 20190329-025
Friday, March 29, 2019
HELP SMPD identify a person of interest in a realtor-hosted open house theft
The San Mateo Police Department is asking for your help with identifying a person of interest in a theft that occurred during an open-house.
San Mateo, CA - On Sunday, March 24, 2019, San Mateo Police Department officers were called to a report of a theft that occurred during a realtor-hosted open house event. According to surveillance provided by the homeowner, a suspicious man was greeted by the realtor inside the home and began walking around after the realtor stepped outside. Video shows the person walking around the house with a noticeable bulge around his abdomen that wasn’t there when he initially walked inside the home. After the open house event concluded, the homeowner noticed many of her expensive undergarments were missing.
The San Mateo Police Department continues to investigate this theft and is seeking to identify the person seen on video. Anyone with information is urged to contact police immediately.
WANTED FOR QUESTIONING
Male, Asian, approximately 5’-4” to 5’-8” and slender build. He was wearing glasses, a grey long sleeve shirt, vest, and jeans.
TIPS ON HOSTING AN OPEN HOUSE
As SMPD tackles this case, we ask our community to safeguard themselves with these tips:
- Set expectations for open house events (i.e. requiring a sign in process or identification).
- Keep a watchful eye on suspicious people.
- Lock up or take your valuables before an open house.
- Install interior home surveillance.
CONTACT POLICE WITH INFORMATION
Anyone with information on the identity of the videoed suspicious person is asked to contact Officer Ryan Alba at (650) 477-7516 or by email at
[email protected]. Anonymous tips can be submitted to
http://tinyurl.com/SMPDTips or by calling (650) 522-7676.
MEDIA INQUIRES
Michael Haobsh
Public Information Officer
Community & Media Relations
Desk: (650) 522-7626
Email:
[email protected]
