A lively night at a San Mateo cantina took a dangerous turn when a dispute involving belts and makeshift weapons escalated, resulting in the stabbing of two men outside Yuppie Cantina, a local watering hole at 709 S. B. Street. Following the incident, a 22-year-old resident was taken into custody by the police, facing charges of assault with a deadly weapon.
The altercation, which happened in the early hours of October 28, involved a group of loud and intoxicated males with impaired judgment and heightened tempers fueled by alcohol. According to a press release from the San Mateo Police Department, officers responded to find victims with stab wounds and others with bruises from the brawl. Thankfully, none of the injuries were life-threatening. The police immediately provided medical aid, examined evidence, and reviewed surveillance footage that pointed to Bryan Barajas-Pantoja as the alleged assailant.
Acting on an arrest warrant, law enforcement stopped Barajas-Pantoja on November 27 at the intersection of Monte Diablo Ave and S Bayshore Boulevard. The arrest, conducted during a traffic stop, was smooth, and a search of Barajas-Pantoja's vehicle revealed a sheathed knife and a pocketknife.
Now held at San Mateo County Jail, Barajas-Pantoja faces $50,000 in bail for his charge. The recovered blades from his car strengthen the case against him, supporting the police's account of the incident. The San Mateo Police Department stressed the importance of security camera footage in crime investigations, encouraging residents to contribute to justice by connecting their surveillance systems.
For more information on the arrest, inquiries can be directed to the San Mateo PD's Community and Media Relations desk.
