MEDIA RELEASE / COMMUNITY ALERT
For Immediate Release No. 20191104-058
Monday, November 4, 2019
COMMUNITY ALERT - Stay Vigilant and Protect Your Valuables
San Mateo Police are investigating a rash of auto burglaries that occurred early Sunday.
San Mateo, CA - In the early morning hours on Sunday, thieves targeted the west side of San Mateo to burglarize many cars - both unlocked and locked. Mirroring the statewide trend of property crimes, San Mateo has also seen an uptick in these types of crimes. The San Mateo Police Department is actively working this investigation and seeking to capture the suspects. Anyone with surveillance or any information is encouraged to call the San Mateo Police Department at (650) 522-7700. Anonymous tips can be submitted to http://tinyurl.com/SMPDTips or by calling (650) 522-7676.
SMPD has an open investigation of multiple auto burglaries in the general areas around Laurelwood Shopping Center along W Hillsdale Blvd. Entries made into these vehicles were made by window smash or possibly the vehicles being unlocked. Many of the items taken include spare change, credit cards, and sunglasses. We are urging our community to take precautions to protect your property as we actively investigate these crimes to identify and arrest those responsible. SMPD is taking a proactive approach and stepping up high visible patrol.
VIDEO: https://ring.com/share/6755059889562169371
As SMPD tackles these investigations, we ask our community to safeguard yourselves with these tips:
Lock all vehicle doors - Try setting a reminder alarm on your phone at 9PM.
Don’t leave ANYTHING in your car - You read that right. Thieves are now searching consoles and glove compartments if they don’t see GPS devices, laptops/tablets, or personal bags in plain view.
Invest in Surveillance – We are solving more cases thanks to video surveillance – both facing your property and street facing. Our officers regularly canvass for available surveillance and you can help us by notifying SMPD of your cameras. www.tinyurl.com/SMPDNest.
What to do if your vehicle is burglarized?
Call SMPD immediately to report the crime and don’t touch your car. Reporting crime will help SMPD to identify crime trends and allow us to take more of a specified approach in combating these crimes. Don’t adjust, touch or enter the vehicle to help us preserve all evidence.
See Something, Say Something – YOU are our extra eyes and ears!
Auto burglaries occur within a matter of seconds, therefore if you see a suspicious vehicle or person contact SMPD – trust your instincts. Please contact your area lieutenant if you’d like to invite them to your next neighborhood watch meeting. https://tinyurl.com/SMPD-Lieutenants-Area-Map
MEDIA CONTACT
Michael Haobsh
Public Information Officer
Community & Media Relations
Direct: 650-522-7626
Email:
[email protected]
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