In a successful operation on Wednesday, Colma PD apprehended a San Francisco man thanks to the sharp eye of an automated license plate reader (ALPR). The device flagged a stolen vehicle entering the quiet town of Colma, providing the police with a crucial advantage. Although the San Francisco Police Department had reported the vehicle missing earlier that day, it was the vigilant Colma officers who located the suspect vehicle parked at a local business on San Pedro Road.
The officers exercised patience, monitoring the situation until their attention was drawn to a passerby who matched the description of the car thief caught on ALPR. Wearing a hat and hooded sweatshirt similar to the suspect's, the man's behavior raised suspicions. A casual encounter escalated into a detainment when the individual refused to reveal his identity, prompting the Colma PD to use their fingerprint scanner.
Upon searching the suspect, police discovered a 'how-to-be-a-thief' starter kit in his possession, including a shaved key, contraband substances, and a switchblade. Further inspection of the man's ID revealed an additional layer of trouble—a misdemeanor warrant from another county had already been issued for his arrest.
The 40-year-old San Francisco native now faces a trifecta of charges: possession of a stolen vehicle, unauthorized use of a vehicle, possession of controlled substances, possession of burglary tools, carrying a switchblade knife, and the misdemeanor warrant. The suspect has been booked into the San Mateo County Jail, contemplating, no doubt, on making better life choices.
The Colma Police Department shared the details of the arrest on December 13 in a Facebook post yesterday. The post, titled "Felony Friday," commended the local officers for their vigilant efforts in ensuring the safety of their streets by tackling crime one stolen vehicle at a time.
