The Colma Police Department apprehended a man accused of casually walking out of a local Home Depot with a cart of roofing supplies he hadn't paid for. On August 2, Yudes Cruzcastro, a 41-year-old Hayward resident, reportedly exited the hardware store at 2 Colma Boulevard with over $2,700 worth of merchandise. According to the Colma Police Department's social media post, the man was apprehended in the parking lot and later found to be on probation and in possession of narcotics.
The police were called to the scene around 7:20 PM after a loss prevention officer from Home Depot flagged the theft. Upon their arrival, officers found Cruzcastro standing near a Honda in the parking lot, where he promptly matched the description provided and was identified by the store’s staff. The suspect was on probation and had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant for his arrest, carrying a $5,000 bail.
During his arrest, officers conducted a search and discovered narcotics, believed to be methamphetamine. It was also revealed that Cruzcastro chalked up at least two prior theft convictions, raising the stakes for what would otherwise be a standard shoplifting incident to grand theft and theft with priors.
The items in question were evidence of the alleged grand theft totaling $2,724.84. Cruzcastro now faces charges of grand theft, theft with priors, and possession of a controlled substance, in addition to his outstanding warrant. Cruzcastro was booked into the San Mateo County Jail following the incident.
