Yesterday morning, San Mateo residents woke to a scene of shattered glass and splintered car parts as a man was caught in the act of vandalizing vehicles along South Fremont Street. According to the San Mateo Police Department, multiple witnesses called in at around 7:24 a.m., providing detailed descriptions that led to the prompt detainment of the suspect, later identified as Carlos Utan. Witnesses told officers who arrived swiftly on the scene that Utan effectively turned a paint roller into a weapon against parked cars.
As law enforcement canvassed the area, they uncovered a swath of destruction left in Utan's wake. Eight vehicles sustained damage running the gamut from shattered windshields to mutilated side mirrors and indented car hoods. The havoc wrought is estimated to be nearly $9,000.
However, it seems there's been an error in the report; Eden Marks, a 31-year-old from Redding, was listed as the arrested individual by mistake since Utan was the actual suspect apprehended for the felony vandalism after a quick and concise response from the community ensured the officers could react without a moment's hesitation.
