'Surge' Of Thefts Reported In Burlingame, Latest Suspect Nabbed

BURLINGAME, CA — As police report an uptick in thefts from vehicles in town, they are warning area residents to keep their property locked up properly — and to never leave high-value items inside when possible. The latest crime happened on Wednesday afternoon, as a man has his backpack with a laptop taken from his car, according to the Burlingame Police Department.

Lt. John Kiely says around 11:15 a.m., a man reported that his property was stolen from an unlocked vehicle. However, he was able to help police officers track down the suspect.

"The victim was able to track his property to the area of the Woodlake Shopping Center in San Mateo," Kiely said in a news release.

At the shopping center, police contacted San Mateo resident Cristian Gutierez, 18. Gutierez was not only in a stolen vehicle at the time, but had both the stolen laptop and property, Kiely said.

Officers then connected the suspect to other recent thefts, according to the lieutenant.

"Also in the vehicle was property stolen from other Burlingame residents," he said. "That recovered property had also been stolen from unlocked vehicles in the City."

Guiterez was arrested on suspicion of grand theft, possession of stolen property and possession of a stolen vehicle, police said. The suspected thief was taken to the Redwood City jail.

"The City of Burlingame has experienced a recent surge in thefts from unlocked vehicles, specifically in our residential neighborhoods," Kiely said. "To prevent falling victim to these types of incidents, residents are urged to always lock their car doors, and never leave anything of value in their parked vehicles whenever possible."

— Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone