A man stood waist-deep in a Foster City pond during a 90-minute standoff with police last week escaped from custody for about 30 minutes Sunday night, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.
At about 9:30 p.m., a deputy was transporting 43-year-old Michael Robillard to the San Mateo Medical Center for routine treatment. Robillard fled from the deputy when they arrived at the medical center, prompting a multi-agency search.
During the search, San Mateo police learned Robillard was spotted in the backyard of a nearby residence.
“Robillard allegedly confronted an individual in the area and took the individual’s car keys in an attempt to flee,” the sheriff’s office said. “The individual was not injured and Robillard did not actually drive off in the vehicle.”
At about 10:03 p.m. Robillard was located by deputies and San Mateo police officers near the Caltrain right of way at 36th Avenue and El Camino Real in San Mateo. He was taken into custody without incident and has been returned to the Maguire Correctional Facility.
“The investigation is ongoing and additional criminal charges may be added,” deputies said.
On Tuesday, May 18, at 9:05 p.m., Robillard was approached by police for driving a stolen vehicle in the parking lot of the Bridgepointe Shopping Center in San Mateo. He fled police, driving back and forth between different parking lots at the shopping center before entering Foster City and heading into the Schooner Bay condominium complex, where he crashed into a tree at a high rate of speed. He exited the vehicle, fled on foot and jumped into the complex’s pond to avoid arrest. Police say he threatened to harm officers and to commit suicide, but after a 90-minute period that included interaction with crisis negotiators, Robillard walked to shore and was safely taken into custody.
Robillard had an outstanding felony warrant for multiple robberies in Alameda County as well as a parolee at large warrant for first degree robbery, police said.
Photo courtesy of the San Mateo Police Department
