San Mateo Police Cracks Down on Thieves in Stolen Mustang at Mall

A daring retail theft attempt took a turn for the worse for three criminals in San Mateo, California, as they were caught in a stolen Ford Mustang at the Hillsdale Shopping Center yesterday, according to the San Mateo Police Department. San Mateo officers and the San Mateo County Vehicle Theft Task Force (VTTF) collaborated to arrest the trio involved in the attempted heist, exhibiting impressive teamwork and vigilance.

Notifying the police of a stolen vehicle in the vicinity, the San Mateo Police Department quickly sprung into action and found the stolen Mustang in a handicap parking stall at the mall. The officers maintained surveillance while waiting for the VTTF agents to arrive. Fortunately, an agent assigned to the VTTF was also an SMPD officer who identified the occupants as a male passenger and female driver. A second female, seen speaking to the occupants, subsequently walked into a nearby Sephora store with the driver, prompting the officers to follow them.

As the SMPD officer monitored the Mustang with their backup, the other VTTF agents entered the Sephora store. Inside, they witnessed the women dropping their personal bags filled with nearly $7,000 worth of merchandise upon spotting the police. The officers swiftly arrested the two females, who were identified as Dominique West and Jessie Stewart, the driver of the stolen vehicle. Meanwhile, the male in the Mustang, Sekou Carson, was also taken into custody.

All three individuals were arrested and booked into San Mateo County Jail. Jessie Stewart was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and several theft-related warrants, while Dominique West faced charges of second-degree burglary and conspiracy. Sekou Carson, held responsible for the robbery warrant, completes the list of wrongdoers apprehended by the vigilant San Mateo officers and the VTTF.