Full Notification

Man arrested following robbery, foot pursuit, and dramatic lagoon capture. 
 
On August 13, 2023, at 6:41 a.m., SMPD officers responded to the 600 block of Vanessa Drive. Officers were called by a resident who saw two men on their security camera trying to enter a locked gate into their property. When the men could not open the gate, they left the house.       
 
As multiple officers were in the area looking for the two subjects, a neighbor advised police he was just physically attacked by men matching the description of the people they were looking for and his cell phone had been stolen. Officers located one suspect, later identified as Marvin Serrano, who after being stopped by police, attempted to escape by running through various streets and jumping fences. Officers pursued Serrano for 11-minutes on foot, when he eventually ran into the parking lot of a local restaurant. Ignoring commands to surrender, Serrano recklessly leaped into the lagoon in an attempt to evade arrest. 
 
Officers quickly set up a perimeter around the lagoon and coordinated assistance with the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department, Harbor Patrol, and the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office. With a combined effort from law enforcement and rescue personnel, Serrano was safely arrested after an hour-long standoff. Serrano was taken to a local hospital for medical evaluation prior to being booked into San Mateo County Jail for multiple charges. 
 
The investigation is on going as officers try to identify the second suspect who is still outstanding. Any residents with information about this incident, please contact San Mateo Police Department, (650)522-7700.     
 
Here are 3 things our public can do to help us stop or solve crime: 
 
1. Lock it, stow it, keep it! – Make sure valuables are out of sight within your vehicle or on your person and lock your doors. These actions can most effectively protect you from being a victim of opportunistic crime. 
 
2. “See Something, Say Something!” – You are our greatest asset. Dial 911 to report suspicious or criminal activity. Our officers continue to proactively patrol San Mateo, but they are eager to respond and catch criminals in the act! 
 
3. Register your street-facing video security cameras with SMPD – Participate in SMPD’s Neighborhood Eyes Security Team (NEST) by registering your security cameras with us at 
https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/2726/Security-Camera-Registration.
 
ARRESTED
Marvin Serrano, a 49-year-old transient
 
CHARGES:
212.5(c) PC- Second degree robbery, 243(d) PC- Battery causing serious bodily injury, 148(a)(1) PC- Resisting arrest, and 12022.1 PC- Committing a felony while on bail