Full Notification

During a proactive traffic stop an officer observed suspicious behavior by occupants, mainly in reference to packages inside of the vehicle. When questioned about them the driver fled the scene in the vehicle with his two occupants. After a short vehicle pursuit, the three adult suspects then fled on foot. All were detained and placed under arrest for multiple felonies.
 
San Mateo, CA – On December 10, 2025, at 4:05 a.m., a San Mateo Police Department officer initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for suspended registration on E. Hillsdale Blvd, just prior to the southbound Highway 101 on-ramp. As the officer approached the vehicle, he noticed a number of packages in the backseat and one being concealed by the rear passenger. Believing they possibly may have been stolen, the officer questioned the driver and two passengers. As additional officers arrived, the driver, later identified as Henry Bytof, began to reach towards the vehicle gear shift. Officers placed a vehicle disabling device under one of the tires as Bytof placed the vehicle in drive and drove off quickly, fleeing from the scene.
 
A short vehicle pursuit was initiated, and the vehicle came to a stop in the area of Old County Road and Ralston Ave in Belmont. The three occupants of the vehicle fled on foot and were all detained. The other two occupants were then identified as Brian Salonga and Joshua Taylor. Over the course of the investigation, it was learned the packages inside of the vehicle belonged to multiple residences in the San Mateo area and the vehicle was taken without the owner’s permission. During a search incident to arrest, multiple drug paraphernalia items were located. Probable cause was established to arrest the trio for the following charges:
 
Bytof- Vehicle theft, second-degree burglary, possession of a stolen vehicle, evading a police officer with wanton disregard for safety, parole violation, conspiracy to commit a crime (felony), obstructing or resisting a peace officer, possession of stolen property
 
Salonga- Second-degree burglary, possession of a stolen vehicle, conspiracy to commit a crime (felony), obstructing or resisting a peace officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, bench warrant (misdemeanor), possession of stolen property
 
Taylor- Second-degree burglary, possession of a stolen vehicle, conspiracy to commit a crime (felony), obstructing or resisting a peace officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of stolen property
 
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. If You See Something, Say Something. If you are expecting packages this Holiday season, please remain vigilant.
  
ARRESTED
Henry Bytof, 47-year-old San Mateo resident
Brian Salonga, 49-year-old San Mateo resident
Joshua Taylor, 36-year-old San Francisco resident
 
CHARGES:
Bytof-VC 10851 (A)-Vehicle theft, PC 460 (B)-Second-degree burglary, PC 496D (A)-Possession of a stolen vehicle, VC 2800.2 (A)-Evade a police officer with wanton disregard for safety, PC 3455 (A)-Parole violation, PC 182 (A) (1)-Conspiracy to commit a crime (felony), PC 148 (A) (1)-Obstructing or resisting a peace officer, PC 496 (A)-Possession of stolen property
 
Salonga- PC 460 (B)-Second-degree burglary, PC 496D (A)-Possession of a stolen vehicle, PC 182 (A) (1)-Conspiracy to commit a crime (felony), PC 148 (A) (1)-Obstructing or resisting a peace officer, HS 11364 (A)-Possession of drug paraphernalia, PC 978.5-Bench warrant (misdemeanor), PC 496 (A)-Possession of stolen property
 
Taylor-PC 460 (B)-Second-degree burglary, PC 496D (A)-Possession of a stolen vehicle, PC 182 (A) (1)-Conspiracy to commit a crime (felony), PC 148 (A) (1)-Obstructing or resisting a peace officer, HS 11364 (A)-Possession of drug paraphernalia, PC 496 (A)-Possession of stolen property