Grinch-like characters attempted to steal packages from the doorsteps of San Mateo homes two days before Christmas, but an alert citizen alerted police to the thieves.
Just after 5 a.m. Wednesday, a witness called police reporting she saw two men carrying multiple packages at Baze Road and Franklin Parkway in the Bay Meadows neighborhood, police said. When the men saw her, they walked faster and dropped packages along the way, she said.
Using a detailed description provided by the witness, responding officers spotted the suspects at S. Delaware Street and Lopez Drive. One of the suspects fled on food eastbound on Hack Rock Avenue while the other, identified as David Leonardo Benedicrivas, 25, of San Mateo resident, was arrested. Benedicrivas was found in possession of multiple opened packages, an unreported stolen bicycle, and multiple credit cards not belonging to him, police said.
Security camera footage and further investigation showed the suspects stealing items from unlocked vehicles.
“In compliance with COVID-19 jail protocol, the suspect was released by citation and provided a court date,” police said.
Police are asking for the community’s help in locating the second suspect, described only as a man wearing a red hoodie with a gray sweater underneath, dark pants, tan shoes, and a tan fanny pack with a single shoulder strap.
Anyone with information on the identity of the person is asked to contact the San Mateo Police Department at police@cityofsanmateo.org or call (650) 522-7700 and reference case number 20-1223-004.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to http://tinyurl.com/SMPDTips or by calling
(650) 522-7676.
Photo: San Mateo Police Department
