A routine afternoon at the Colma Home Depot turned tense last Wednesday when a 35-year-old South San Francisco man allegedly threatened to beat a security guard with an axe and bury him, according to police. Officers were called to the store around 1:30 PM, and later found the suspect behind the nearby Metro Mall shopping center, where they detained him without incident. He was booked into San Mateo County Jail on criminal-threats charges, authorities said.
According to KRON4, the security guard told officers the suspect started a verbal argument inside the store, then allegedly escalated things by threatening his life. The man then left the premises and drove off in a silver Ford before officers tracked him down. Colma police said the suspect faces multiple charges tied to the alleged threat. No injuries were reported.
Police Say Suspect Detained Behind Metro Mall
Colma officers located and detained the man in the rear of the Metro Mall shopping center, police said. The incident occurred at the Home Depot at 91 Colma Boulevard, according to the store’s local listing for Home Depot.
Charges And Legal Context
Authorities booked the suspect on criminal-threats charges. Under California Penal Code section 422, criminal threats can be filed as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances and a defendant’s record. The law covers threats that are specific enough to cause a victim sustained fear. The California Legislature outlines the elements of the crime and potential penalties in Penal Code section 422.
Retail Crime Heat Still On Bay Area Big-Box Stores
Violent confrontations and organized theft at Bay Area Home Depot locations have drawn law-enforcement attention in recent years, with prosecutors bringing multi-county cases against crews accused of targeting dozens of stores. Those coordinated crackdowns reflect a broader push by local district attorney offices and major retailers to tackle cross-county retail crime. The Santa Clara County District Attorney has detailed one such investigation.
Colma police are asking anyone with video or information about last Wednesday’s incident to contact detectives. No injuries were reported, officials said. For the initial account of the arrest and additional details, see KRON4.
