Full Notification

San Mateo, CA – On June 8, 2025, at 4:56 a.m., San Mateo Police Department Officers responded to the 700 block of S Humboldt Street on a report of a stolen vehicle. Upon arrival, officers met with the victim. The victim stated that, as they were walking away from their parked, idling vehicle, they saw another vehicle approach, a suspect exited, then entered the victim’s vehicle. The victim attempted to pull the suspect out of the driver seat, and a physical struggle ensued. At that time, the suspect drew a knife and lunged at the victim with the weapon. The victim was not harmed, and the suspect then drove away in the victim’s vehicle. The suspect vehicle also fled the scene. 
 
The San Mateo Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) assumed the case, and after a multi-month investigation, Okustino Tao was identified as the primary suspect, while Tevita Salt was identified as the driver of the suspect vehicle. Tao was already in custody for other unrelated charges, and the crimes of carjacking and assault with a deadly weapon were added to his booking sheet. At the request of the San Mateo Police Department, and after the authoring of numerous search warrants related to this investigation, members of the Cal Guard assisted in locating Salt, who was still outstanding.  
 
On 10/15/2025, CIB conducted a multi-agency operation for the purposes of locating and arresting Salt on an arrest warrant for the crimes of carjacking and assault with a deadly weapon. Salt was located in his vehicle in Oakland, placed under arrest, and was later booked into the San Mateo County Jail.
 
We ask our community members to stay alert.  We need community support in reporting crimes and suspicious activities.  If you see a suspicious person, vehicle, or activity, call SMPD.  Trust your instincts.  See Something, Say Something.
 
ARRESTED
Okustino Tao, age 25, Oakland resident
Tevita Salt, age 22, Oakland resident
 
CHARGES:
Tao-PC 215 (A)-Carjacking, PC 245 (A) (1)- Assault with a Deadly Weapon not a Firearm
Salt- PC 215 (A)-Carjacking, PC 245 (A) (1)- Assault with a Deadly Weapon not a Firearm