Belmont package theft suspects were arrested in San Mateo after witness gets description of getaway vehicle.
SAN MATEO, Calif. — Yesterday morning, July 20, 2026, between 7:34am to 7:41am, San Mateo Police received two calls about suspicious circumstances on the 4100 block of George Ave. The first incident was a resident reporting she believed someone attempted to steal a tire off her vehicle. The second call reported seeing three suspicious subjects loitering in the parking area (one on a bicycle) and was concerned due to an increase in package thefts recently. Both “witnesses” provided descriptions, but one was able to provide a description of a possible associated vehicle, along with a license plate and description that it appeared to have a “flat tire”. The license plate was associated to a vehicle previously connected with a subject known to the police department, so an attempt to locate him was initiated. He was not found.
At 8:18am, an SMPD Officer found a bicycle and the “suspect” vehicle unoccupied, parked secreted behind a larger vehicle in the Laurie Meadows Shopping Center. Employees of a nearby restaurant advised officers two subjects associated with the vehicle had entered the business and were in the restroom. Officers waited for both to exit and then contacted them. The male subject, identified as Ernie Suazo (the registered owner of the vehicle and not the male subject mentioned above) said the vehicle was his, but the female, identified as Jessica Navarro, claimed to not be associated; however, the key to the vehicle was found in her possession.
Once a search of the vehicle was made, packages belonging to several residents of Belmont were located, as was an official document belonging to someone from East Palo Alto. Three “victims” were contacted and verified their packages had been stolen, as no one had permission to have them. Both Suazo and Navarro were arrested and a probation hold was placed on Suazo. They were transported and booked into the San Mateo County Jail.
Attempts to identify additional victims are being made. It is unknown at this time whether the “third” subject on the bike is actually associated to these incidents or not. Our investigation continues. The other appropriate police agencies were notified of our arrest.
If you are missing a “delivered” packaged, please file a police report immediately. If you will not be home to accept a package delivery, please consider utilizing a delivery locker. Many businesses like Amazon, UPS, and USPS utilize these types of lockers to protect your valuables. They remain a secure way for you to retrieve your orders.
Arrested:
Ernie Suazo, 31 yr old, San Jose Resident
Jessica Navarro, 48 yr old, Redwood City Resident
Charges:
Suazo: 496(a)PC-Possession of Stolen Property and 1203.2PC-Probation Violation
Navarro: 496(a)PC-Possession of Stolen Property and 666.1PC-Theft w/2+ Prior Convictions
