San Mateo Police Arrest Two for Breaking Into Car at Bridgepointe Shopping Center

Two men are facing burglary charges after they were allegedly caught with stolen items from a San Mateo vehicle break-in, police said Wednesday.

The burglary happened around 10 a.m. Tuesday, in the parking lot of the Bridgepointe Shopping Center, according to a SMPD news release.

“SMPD officers responded to the scene of the crime while canvassing the surrounding areas, to include the most likely escape routes for the perpetrators,” police said. “Officers on scene quickly determined that the suspects had broken a window on the locked vehicle and taken valuables left visible inside the car.”

“Thanks especially to the cooperation of the victim and witness on scene, SMPD officers located a suspicious vehicle that exited Highway 92 westbound and entered the parking lot for Jo-Ann Fabrics, less than 3 miles from the scene of the burglary,” police continued. “The occupants were observed acting suspiciously having backed in to a secluded parking space for no apparent reason.”

Officers approached the men and soon found everything that had been taken in the burglary at Bridgepointe, police said.

They arrested 21-year-old Walik Gilmore of Livermore and 20-year-old Lamont Harper of Oakland on charges of burglary, possession of burglary tools, conspiracy and possession of stolen property, according to police.

Police said they’ve seen several other similar cases reported around town in the last day, but those have not yet been solved.

“Despite these arrests, we regrettably report that several auto burglaries occurred here in our city in the past 24 hours,” police said. “In nearly every case, valuables such as jewelry, wallets, purses, and electronics were left visible and easily accessible inside locked vehicles.”

Police reminded the public to keep valuables hidden when you park your car.