Bay Area/ San Francisco
AI Assisted Icon
Published on January 14, 2025
Serial Shoplifter in Colma Arrested After Interagency Manhunt and Drone-Assisted CaptureSource: Colma Police Department

Last Thursday, Colma officers responded to a call from a business along the 5000 block of Junipero Serra Boulevard. There, they found themselves engaging in an impromptu foot chase with a male suspect accused of trying to walk away with several backpacks tucked away from sight. The retail value of the goods was estimated at approximately $382.77.

The suspect, who was later identified as 45-year-old Alex Anderson, reportedly scattered the merchandise and attempted to make a run for it upon being approached by officers, blatantly ignoring orders to halt. Anderson's escape helped spark a coordinated response, drawing resources from Daly City, South San Francisco, and the Broadmoor Police Departments. A perimeter was quickly established, and with the strategic use of a drone from the South San Francisco Police, the suspect was found hiding in the scrub between a business and a cemetery. "Thank you Daly City Police Department, South San Francisco Police Department and the Broadmoor Police Department for your assistance!" the Colma Police Department posted.

Anderson was arrested on charges encompassing shoplifting, resisting arrest, and possession of drug paraphernalia. However, the extent of his legal troubles didn't end there; a records check revealed Alex Anderson to be the subject of multiple warrants, including a no-bail felony warrant and three additional misdemeanors totaling $45,000. The dispatchers confirmed the outstanding warrants stemmed from various other county agencies, encapsulating a history of evasion from the law.

Following the arrest, he was booked into the San Mateo County Jail.