Full Notification

The following are three felony arrests conducted leading up to and over the weekend.

Subject arrested for Robbery after he stole $961 in clothing from Macy's and assaulted Loss Prevention officers.

On Wednesday, 11/29/23, at 8:51pm, SMPD received a call about a fight occurring at the Hillsdale Shopping Center. Upon arrival, it was determined Macy’s Loss Prevention was attempting to detain Tauangemai Latukefu for shoplifting. Over the course of 3 hours, Latukefu selected various clothing items and shoes, entered a fitting room where he remained for quite some time, and then left the store via an Emergency Exit without paying for them. When Loss Prevention attempted to detain Latukefu outside of the store, he ran, and a physical altercation ensued while Loss Prevention attempted to detain him. At which time Latukefu attempted to punch a Loss Prevention Agent. When SMPD arrived on scene, officers took custody of Latukefu and noticed he was wearing various clothing items with the price tags still affixed. The total amount stolen was approximately $961. Latukefu was arrested for robbery and booked into San Mateo County Jail.

Shoplifting, a theft, is generally considered a misdemeanor depending on the dollar amount. But when force and/or fear are involved, this misdemeanor turns into a felony and is then known as an Estes Robbery. So, it’s important to remind our community “thou shalt not steal”. It could really affect your life in negative ways and can have a bigger impact than you anticipated based on decisions made and actions taken.

ARRESTED: 
Tauangemai Latukefu, 20-year-old Redwood City resident

CHARGE(S):
212.5(C) PC – Second Degree Robbery


A convicted felon was arrested for using a stolen firearm found inside a stolen vehicle to negligently shoot rounds within the vicinity of a school. He was arrested on numerous charges and booked into County Jail.

In the late evening of Friday, December 1, 2023, at 10:10 p.m., a resident reported hearing 3 gunshots in the 500 block of E. Bellevue Ave., possibly coming from the direction of the nearby high school. Officers arrived and began looking for a potential incident. As they checked the surrounding neighborhoods and drove through the high school campus, which is approximately 100 feet from the E. Bellevue Ave. location, an SMPD officer located a stolen vehicle in the school’s bus loop area of E. Poplar Ave. It was occupied by a subject identified as Cenneth Redard.
 
Redard was detained while officers continued their investigation into both the report of the shots fired and the stolen vehicle they had just located, believing the two may be related. While detaining Redard, officers learned the stolen vehicle (reported out of San Francisco less than 5 hours earlier) contained a firearm in the trunk (also been reported stolen). After clearing the vehicle and searching the area around the car, officers located a gun box containing the stolen firearm, as well as a broken gun lock, spent shell casings and live ammunition. Witnesses reported seeing several bicyclists in the area at the time the shots were fired, so it is believed Redard may have interacted with those subjects and for an unknown reason decided to shoot the firearm. No one was injured.
 
Redard was arrested and transported to the San Mateo County Jail where he was booked on several charges, including that of having a firearm on school grounds. We would like to clarify that the school was unoccupied outside of janitorial staff, and this incident did occur late into the evening hours. While the nature of this crime does involve negligence, no students were in danger at the time of this situation.
  
SMPD would like to remind residents to lock their vehicles to protect them from theft and recommend leaving them empty of valuables, especially firearms. Be good witnesses and report instances of crime to your police department immediately.
 
ARRESTED: 
Cenneth Redard, 27-year-old San Jose resident
 
CHARGE(S):
496D(a) PC – Possession of stolen vehicle, 29800(a)(1) PC – Felon in possession of a firearm, 25400(a)(2) PC – Carrying a concealed weapon, 30305(a)(1) PC – Felon in possession of ammunition, 246.3(a) PC – Negligently/Willfully discharge of a firearm, and 626.9(b) PC – Firearm on school grounds.
 

A good Samaritan attempts to deescalate a situation involving a possible altercation between teenagers and ends up being physically attacked resulting in numerous injuries. 3 juveniles were arrested, and we are currently attempting to identify a fourth suspect.

On Sunday, 12/3/23, at 7:29pm, SMPD received multiple calls about an assault occurring at Central Park (50 E. 5^th Ave.). Upon arrival, we located a victim who was suffering from several injuries to his head, face, and body. The victim informed us he was attempting to diffuse a possible fight when a group of juveniles pushed him to the ground and began to kick, punch, and stomp on him. At one point, the victim’s cell phone was taken as he attempted to call the police. The victim was transported to a local trauma center for treatment of his injuries.

As officers arrived at the park, one located a group of four male juveniles in the area. One of the juveniles fled the scene, but the others were detained and positively identified as the subjects who assaulted the victim. Witnesses confirmed the victim’s statements. All said the group of juveniles were in some type of altercation with a subject on a bicycle. When the victim approached the group to deescalate the situation, he was pushed into the bushes and beaten by the entire group of juveniles.

During the arrest of the three juveniles, officers smelled alcohol and discovered the three were responsible for the theft of $100 worth of alcohol from Walgreen’s approximately 20 minutes before this incident. Because they were impaired, all three subjects were medically cleared as a precaution before being booked into Hillcrest Juvenile Hall.

The fourth suspect is outstanding and attempts to identify him are being made.

ARRESTED: 
14-year-old male – San Mateo resident, 16-year-old male – San Mateo resident, and 16-year-old – San Mateo resident

CHARGE(S):
245(a)(4) PC – Assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, 243(d) PC – Battery with serious bodily injury, and 591.5 PC – Damage or destroy communication device.