MEDIA RELEASE / COMMUNITY ALERT
For Immediate Release No. 20190925-051
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Auto Burglary Hot Spot Nets East Coast Murder Suspect
San Mateo Police Department arrested three suspects targeting an auto burglary hot spot, preventing victimization by proactive policing. Officers stopped these suspects and discovered one to be wanted for murder on the East Coast and the other was wanted for robbery in another county.
San Mateo, CA – San Mateo Police Department’s Crime Reduction Unit officers, while patrolling auto burglary hot spots in plainclothes Tuesday afternoon, detained four individuals for suspicious activity. Three of the subjects were ultimately arrested. Two of the arrested suspects had outstanding warrants for serious felony crimes.
On Tuesday, September 24, 2019, around 4:20 P.M., San Mateo Police Department’s Crime Reduction Unit was patrolling an auto burglary hot spot located at 2920 S Norfolk Street, also known as Marina Plaza Shopping Center. Officers observed four suspects loitering and watching the parking lot from a vehicle that was backed into a stall, which is one of many tactics used by auto burglars. The officers saw one suspect exit his vehicle and rummage through another vehicle after checking car door handles in the parking lot. At that time, officers swiftly moved in and stopped the suspects in their tracks.
The officers’ investigation revealed the suspects were in possession of an unreported stolen vehicle, fraudulent documents, and auto burglary tools. In addition, one suspect required fingerprinting to confirm his identity and officers learned he was wanted for murder out of New York. Another suspect was found to have a robbery arrest warrant out of Napa County.
Three suspects were arrested and booked at San Mateo County Main Jail on a multitude of charges and one subject was identified and released on scene.
Remember, “if you see something, say something.” We’re encouraging our community to utilize security cameras. They are especially helpful in identifying suspicious activity in neighborhoods when cameras are street facing. Our officers regularly canvass for surveillance and you can help us by registering your cameras at www.cityofsanmateo.org/NEST.
The San Mateo Neighborhood Watch program is total resident participation and involvement in a police community cooperative battle against burglaries or other neighborhood crimes. Its primary purpose is personal and property protection for you and your neighbors. As an extension of the eyes and ears for your police department, your involvement will directly affect the crime rate in your neighborhood. Visit our website for additional information at sanmateopolice.org.
If you have any questions about Neighborhood Watch in San Mateo, please contact our Neighborhood Watch Coordinator at (650) 522-7791 or email us at [email protected].
ARRESTED
Steven Marinez, 21-year-old New York, NY resident
Charges: Possession of burglary tools (466 PC), possession of a narcotic (11350(a) HS), providing false identification to a peace officer (148.9(a) PC), and a New York homicide warrant
Justin Viloria, 24-year-old New York, NY resident
Charges: Napa County robbery warrant.
Joel Figuereo, 22-year-old New York, NY resident
Charges: Possession of fraudulent documents (470(b) PC) and possession of burglary tools (466 PC)
MEDIA CONTACT
Michael Haobsh
Public Information Officer
Community & Media Relations
Direct: (650) 522-7626
Email: [email protected]
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