Fugitive's Wild Crime Spree in San Mateo Ends in 27 Years to Life Sentence

On June 6, 2023, Michael Robillard received a 27-year-to-life prison sentence for leading officers on a wild chase in a stolen car, which was also connected to a robbery spree, and attempting to escape custody while being transported to a medical checkup, according to KTVU reporter Henry K. Lee. Robillard's crime spree began back in May of 2021 when he stole a vehicle, evaded San Mateo police, and jumped into a pond at a Foster City condominium complex to avoid capture.

On May 18, 2021, Robillard had reportedly stolen a vehicle from the Bridgepointe Shopping Center in San Mateo, California, and led police officers on a high-speed pursuit that ended at the Schooner Bay condominium complex in Foster City when he crashed the stolen car into a tree, as reported by SFGate. To evade capture, Robillard allegedly jumped into a waist-deep pond at the complex. He was eventually arrested and taken into custody.

However, the drama didn't end there. On May 23, while being transported to the San Mateo Medical Center for routine treatment, Robillard took advantage of the situation and attempted to escape. He fled on foot from a deputy, just before entering the hospital, as reported by San Mateo County Daily Journal. According to the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, Robillard was seen in a nearby home's backyard where he confronted someone and stole their car keys in an attempt to flee.

Fortunately, the homeowner was not injured, and Robillard did not manage to drive off in their vehicle. Soon after, at around 10 p.m., deputies and officers from the San Mateo Police Department found Robillard near the Caltrain right-of-way in the area of El Camino Real and 36th Avenue in San Mateo, as detailed by SFGate. He was re-arrested and booked back into county jail.