Full Notification

After shoplifting from Macy's Loss Prevention and Mall Security attempted to detain suspects; one physically resisted and brandished a knife while the other, a minor, fled on foot but was later detained by officers. The minor was found to have a loaded, stolen firearm on his person.

On Sunday, December 15, 2024, at 7:38pm, San Mateo Police officers were dispatched to the Hillsdale Shopping Center on report of an armed robbery that had just occurred. Mall Security informed our Dispatch a male subject stole from a store and brandished a knife at Security when they contacted him and were still in an active physical fight with the subject. Officers immediately responded.

On arrival, officers saw a security guard chasing a male through the parking lot and back into the mall. Taking over the pursuit, officers were able to stop the male, who continued to refuse to comply with instructions. Eventually, officers were able to handcuff the subject and during a pat search of his person, a loaded Glock .40 caliber handgun was found inside a satchel affixed to the male’s torso. A records check of the firearm showed it was reported stolen out of Richmond. The male was determined to be 17 years old and was not the subject involved in the brandishing of the knife, but instead a second suspect. The male armed with the knife was detained by Loss Prevention, security staff and an SMPD Sergeant. He was identified as Jose Rodriguez Vasquez.

It was learned that both subjects were in Macy’s where they selected clothing and fragrance items before exiting Macy’s without paying. Macy’s Loss Prevention had been monitoring their actions and attempted to retrieve the stolen property and detain them once outside the store with the assistance of mall security. That is when Rodriguez Vasquez pulled out a knife and threatened them, while the minor fled the scene. The minor physically assaulted Macy’s Loss Prevention agents while being detained, causing minor injuries before SMPD took him into custody. The total stolen was valued at $1200.

Rodriguez Vasquez was arrested and transported to San Mateo County Jail and the minor was arrested and transported to San Mateo County Youth Services Center (Hillcrest). Both were booked on several charges listed below.

ARRESTED:
Jose Miguel Rodriguez Vasquez, age 18, East Palo Alto resident
CHARGES:
211PC - Robbery, 245(A)(1)PC – Assault with a Deadly Weapon, 460(b)PC - Burglary, 182(a)(1)PC - Conspiracy, 422(a)PC – Terrorist Threats, and 272(a)(1)PC – Contribute to the Delinquency of a Minor

ARRESTED:
Male Juvenile, age 17, East Palo Alto resident
CHARGES:
69(a)PC – Obstruct of Resist an Officer, 460(b)PC - Burglary, 182(a)(1)PC – Conspiracy , 29610(a)PC – Minor in Possession of a Handgun, 25850(a)PC – Carry a Loaded Firearm in Public, and 496(A)PC – Receiving Stolen Property