Retail Theft Suspect Arrested for Robbery and Threatening Employees with Pepper Spray 
On Saturday, April 6, 2024, at approximately 1:30 p.m., San Mateo Police officers were dispatched to the ROSS Store (Concar Dr.) on the report of a robbery. Upon arrival, management advised us a subject, later identified as James Bell, had stolen approximately $1000 worth of merchandise and fled the store without paying after threatening staff with pepper spray. Bell was seen getting into a vehicle and fleeing the parking lot at a high rate of speed. Luckily, employees were able to obtain the license plate of the fleeing vehicle and provide it to officers.
While enroute to the store, officers were able to locate the vehicle after it entered eastbound Highway 92 and saw that Bell was driving recklessly. A traffic stop was initiated, but Bell failed to yield, and a short pursuit commenced. Due to his unsafe driving, Bell eventually collided with a guard rail causing his vehicle to roll and eject Bell. Thankfully, no one else on the highway was injured by this. Bell was transported to the hospital for his injuries and upon release was transported to San Mateo County Jail. All the stolen property was recovered and totaled $1072.51.
Bell was arrested for numerous charges including robbery, vehicle code violations, evading the police, being a felon in possession of pepper spray, and driving on a suspended license.
ARRESTED:
James Bell, age 53, Hayward resident
CHARGES:
212.5(C) PC – Robbery
22810(a) PC – Felon in possession of pepper spray
2800.2 CVC – Evading Police
4463 CVC – License Plate Fraud
14601.1 CVC – Driving on a suspended license
Address/Location
San Mateo, CA Police Department
200 Franklin Pkwy
San Mateo, CA 94403
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 650-522-7700
TEXT-A-TIP - Text TIP SANMATEOPD followed by your message, to 888777
