On February 24, 2019, Menlo Park Police officers responded to the area of Bay Road and Sonoma Avenue on numerous reports of auto burglaries that occurred overnight and during the early morning hours. After reviewing video surveillance footage, it was discovered that two to three unknown suspects dressed in dark clothing were responsible for the burglaries.
Further investigation revealed that a suspect who was arrested a short time after the timeframe of the auto burglaries, on an unrelated vandalism charge, and who matched the description of the suspects, was in possession of stolen property that was taken during the course of the auto burglaries.
The suspect was identified as James Ornelas, an 18 year old male from South San Francisco. Ornelas was booked into the San Mateo County jail on the following charges:
◦594(b) (1) PC-Felony vandalism
◦496(a) PC-Felony possession of stolen property
Efforts are being made by Menlo Park Police Department to identify the other suspects. If you have any additional information regarding this incident, please contact Sergeant Dennis Weber at 650-330-6337 or the Menlo Park Police anonymous tip line at 650-330-6395.
