Three men suspected of burglarizing a pair of San Mateo homes are cooling their heels behind bars after a high-tech police search, authorities said. The suspects, identified as Jhon LarottaVargas, Leonardo SanchezMartinez, and Jesus VelezHernandez, allegedly hit two separate houses on Mission Drive and West Capistrano Street on December 19, and their freedom was cut short after local law enforcement launched an extensive manhunt in the neighborhood.
According to the San Mateo Police Department, the suspects tried to make a break for it but were quickly surrounded by officers. The pursuit began moments after a 911 call reported a live feed of two intruders rummaging through the caller's home at about 7:22 p.m. Responding to the scene, officers learned upon arrival that the suspects had already vacated the first targeted home and had also invaded a second one.
An intensive neighborhood search ensued, employing surveillance cameras and additional police resources to trace the suspects. In a daring attempt to evade capture, the suspects were spotted jumping a fence into the backyard of a residence before being spotted by a police drone, which tracked them down to their final hiding spots. One was found inside a portable bathroom, another sprinted out of a backyard before being nabbed, and the third suspect was apprehended atop a roof, authorities revealed.
Recovered in the aftermath were stolen goods valued north of $50,000. The captured men, hailing from Orlando, Los Angeles, and Semi Valley, respectively, are facing charges including residential burglary, grand theft, conspiracy to commit a crime, possession of stolen property, and resisting arrest. After the incident, police extolled the virtues of community vigilance and surveillance technology in crime fighting, encouraging locals to register their cameras with the department to bolster neighborhood security.
With the suspects now detained at San Mateo County Jail, the San Mateo PD continues to stress the critical role that residents play by promptly reporting crimes and being thorough witnesses. "Your observations can greatly assist law enforcement in their investigation," the department reminds the community, underscoring the importance of capturing crucial details like the suspect appearance and the direction of their escape.
