Yesterday, a routine traffic stop by San Mateo Police led to the arrest of three individuals believed to be involved in a string of package thefts. The vehicle was originally pulled over for suspended registration on E. Hillsdale Blvd, near the southbound Highway 101 on-ramp, as noted in a social media post from the San Mateo Police Department.
Upon approaching the vehicle, the officer spotted several packages inside, one of which was concealed in the rear passenger compartment. This sight raised suspicions of potential theft, prompting further inquiry. What began as questioning quickly escalated into a pursuit after the driver, identified as Henry Bytof, attempted to flee. Officers were able to deploy a vehicle-disabling device, but not before the suspects led them on a short chase that ended near Old County Road and Ralston Avenue in Belmont. Despite an attempt to escape on foot, all three suspects were detained by law enforcement.
The investigation that followed revealed that the car had been taken without permission, and the packages inside were from multiple residences in the San Mateo area. Arrested were 47-year-old Henry Bytof, 49-year-old Brian Salonga, and 36-year-old Joshua Taylor, as confirmed by the San Mateo Police Department's announcement. The suspects were found in possession of stolen property, as well as multiple items of drug paraphernalia.
Bytof is now facing numerous charges, including vehicle theft, second-degree burglary, and evading a police officer, among others. Salonga and Taylor were slapped with similar charges related to burglary, possession of a stolen vehicle, and conspiracy to commit a crime.
