Full Notification

COMMUNITY ALERT - Be observant and protect your homes

San Mateo Police are investigating a rash of attempted residential burglaries in San Mateo

San Mateo, CA – On July 22, 2022 during the early morning hours, would-be burglars attempted to burglarize four residences and vehicles at the 400 block of Sylvan Avenue.  During one of the attempts, a resident woke to the sound of his fence gate opening and closing.  The resident checked his open fence but did not locate the suspect.  Video surveillance showed that the suspect had moved to an adjacent residence but froze at the back door of the second home when the first resident turned on his light to check his fence.  Once the first resident turned off his light, the suspect attempted to enter the second residence.  We have included some of the video surveillance as part of this community alert. 

The San Mateo Police Department is actively investigating and seeking to capture the suspect(s).  Anyone with surveillance or any information is encouraged to call the San Mateo Police Department at (650) 522-7700.  Anonymous tips can be submitted to http://tinyurl.com/SMPDTips or by calling (650) 522-7626.
 
As SMPD continues to investigate, we ask our community to remember a few safety tips.  Remember to lock all windows and doors of your residence and vehicle before going to sleep at night. Do not leave items of value unattended or within eyesight of the street.  Invest in surveillance cameras and outdoor light equipment.  Burglars do not want to be captured on camera, and well-positioned lighting and working cameras help deter burglars and prevent burglaries. 

What do you do if your home is burglarized?                                                                                                      
Call SMPD immediately to report the crime. Do not touch or adjust anything, so that evidence can be preserved.  Reporting crime helps SMPD identify crime trends and allow for a more targeted approach in combating these crimes. 

Remember, “If you see something, say something.” We’re encouraging our community to utilize security cameras.  They are specifically helpful identifying suspicious activity in neighborhoods when cameras are street facing.  Our officers regularly canvas for surveillance and you can help by notifying SMPD where cameras are located in your neighborhood at http://www.cityofsanmateo.org/Nest.