Last Tuesday, Colma Police Department officers were dispatched to the Home Depot at 2 Colma Boulevard for a reported theft. According to the Colma Police Department’s social media post, a man was spotted concealing tools inside the store around 7:51 PM.
The suspect, later identified as Richard Downing, a 32-year-old San Francisco resident, refused to comply with the Home Depot Loss Prevention Officer and fled the premises. A subsequent foot chase ensued when Downing attempted to escape by jumping a fence. The Colma Police intervened, issuing orders for Downing to halt, which he ignored. The officers caught up to him, and a physical altercation broke out, resulting in two officers sustaining minor injuries.
Downing's attempts to evade capture ended in the parking lot near an open field. After what the department described as a struggle, Downing was handcuffed. Upon arrest, police found Downing had stolen merchandise valued at $213.44. A search incident to arrest also yielded drug paraphernalia. Downing was then booked into San Mateo County Jail, facing charges for shoplifting, possession of drug paraphernalia, and obstructing and resisting a police officer.
