MEDIA RELEASE / COMMUNITY ALERT
For Immediate Release No. 20230216-007
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Carjacker Takes A Ride to Jail
San Mateo, CA- On February 16, 2023, at approximately 6:46 a.m., SMPD Dispatch broadcasted the vehicle make, model, and license plate from a carjacking occurring 20 minutes prior in South San Francisco. Shortly after the broadcast, SMPD officers learned the victim’s vehicle, a 2018 Nissan Sentra, was in the area of E. 3rd Avenue and S. Humboldt Street. Officers canvassed the area and located the Nissan parked and unoccupied in front of residence at the 100 block of N. Idaho Street.
During the investigation at N. Idaho Street, a victim from an attempted carjacking in San Mateo contacted an officer. The victim stated he saw a suspect, later identified as Francisco Carillo Suarez, near the parked Nissan and then enter an unlocked Toyota Highlander, which belonged to the victim. Fearing Carillo Suarez would steal his vehicle, the victim opened the driver’s side door and started pulling Carillo Suarez out of the vehicle. While being pulled from the vehicle, Carillo Suarez made a fist and punched the victim in the chest. Shortly after, Carillo Suarez fled on foot and traveled northbound on N. Idaho Street towards Monte Diablo Avenue.
SMPD continued the investigation. Officers located surveillance footage; the footage captured a person exiting the Nissan and attempting to carjack the Toyota. As officers saturated the area to locate Carillo Suarez, another victim reported an attempted carjacking. This second attempted carjacking in San Mateo occurred at the 100 block of N. Grant Street, approximately two blocks west of Carillo Suarez’s attempted carjacking of the Toyota. The victim said when he opened the door to enter his vehicle, Carillo Suarez pushed the victim away from the door. Carillo Suarez briefly entered the vehicle before quickly exiting. Carillo Suarez again fled on foot. He traveled northbound on N. Grant Street and then eastbound on Monte Diablo Ave.
SMPD officers and South San Francisco Police Department Detectives, who arrived at the scene to assist with the investigation, continued searching for Carillo Suarez. They located Carillo Suarez at the corner of E. 2nd Avenue and S. Idaho Street. After officers detained Carillo Suarez, they conducted an infield line-up. Two victims positively identified Carillo Suarez as the person who attempted to carjack them. Carillo Suarez was placed under arrest and transported to San Mateo County Jail. He was booked for attempted carjacking and receiving stolen property.
Remember, “If you see something, say something.” We are encouraging our community to utilize security cameras. They are especially helpful in identifying suspicious activity in neighborhoods when cameras are street facing. Our officers regularly canvass for surveillance and you can help us by notifying SMPD where cameras are located in your neighborhood at www.cityofsanmateo.org/Nest.
ARRESTED
Francisco Carillo Suarez, a 24-year-old South San Francisco resident
Charges: Attempted carjacking (664/215(A) PC) and receiving stolen property (496(A) PC)
MEDIA CONTACT
Alison Gilmore
Public Information Officer | Support Services
City of San Mateo Police Department
200 Franklin Pkwy, San Mateo, CA 94403
650-522-7626 | [email protected]
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