Two arrested for shoplifting, conspiracy, and drug charges after brief foot pursuit.
San Mateo, CA – On February 25, 2026, at approximately 1:01pm, SMPD officers responded to a retail theft at a store on the 600 block of Concar Dr., where two subjects shoplifted between $300-$500 worth of items and then left the store on foot. A description was provided and an officer located the two subjects at the nearby train station, where they then fled on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, one subject, identified as Luis Carstens, was detained. The second subject was spotted at Leslie St. and 17th Ave., where he, Darol Warnock Jr., was also detained.
As the subjects fled from officers, they discarded the stolen items. However, all items were recovered and returned to the store. The total stolen was approximately $815. Both suspects were arrested on shoplifting charges and during a search incident to arrest, suspected drugs were found belonging to Carstens and drug paraphernalia was found belonging to Warnock.
After being medically cleared, both Carstens and Warnock were transported and booked into the San Mateo County Jail.
ARRESTED
Lucas Carstens, 30-year-old San Jose resident
Darol Warnock Jr., 48-year-old Oregon resident
CHARGES:
Carstens: 459.5(a) PC-Shoplifting, 135 PC-Destroy/Conceal evidence, 148(a)(1) PC-Obstruct/Resist Peace Officer, Pending Charge of 11395(b)(1) HS-Possess a controlled substance w/2 or more priors
Warnock Jr.: 459.5(a) PC-Shoplifting, 182(a)(1) PC-Conspiracy to commit a crime, 11364(a) HS-Possession of unlawful paraphernalia
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