4 Suspected Car Burglars Busted By Undercover Detectives At Peninsula In-N-Out

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA – Four people were arrested Wednesday in Millbrae on suspicion of assaulting police with a deadly weapon by ramming a patrol car with their vehicle, San Mateo County sheriff's deputies said Thursday.

Detectives were conducting an undercover operation at 8:40 p.m. in the parking lot of the In-N-Out Burger at 11 Rollins Road because of a recent increase in auto burglaries.

During the operation, the detectives saw four suspects in a vehicle drive into the lot, according to sheriff's officials.

Three suspects got out of the vehicle and began looking in other vehicles until they spotted an SUV with visible property inside.

The three suspects went back to their vehicle and the four parked in a space near the SUV, according to sheriff's officials.

Detectives, who had been watching the four, drove up behind the suspects' vehicle in an unmarked patrol vehicle with their lights and sirens on and boxed in the suspects' vehicle.

After the detectives got out of their vehicle and used badges to identify themselves, the suspects tried to escape by reversing their vehicle into the detective's vehicle.

The suspects failed to escape and detectives arrested them. All four were booked into the county jail, according to deputies.

No one was injured, Zuno said.

The four suspects are 21-year-old Richmond resident Eddie Nute, 32-year-old San Pablo resident Stephen Espadron, 32-year-old Richmond resident Claude Frazier and 33-year-old San Pablo resident Exrill Wilson.
All four were arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy, attempted burglary and possession of burglary tools, Zuno said.

Sheriff's officials said Nute, who was driving the suspects' vehicle, was also arrested on an outstanding $50,000 burglary warrant.

Anyone with more information about the crime is encouraged to get in touch with Detective Patrick Carey at (650) 259-2321 or pcarey@smcgov.org. Callers who want to remain anonymous can call the San Mateo County sheriff's tip line at (800) 547-2700.

• Also see: Police Seeking Additional Victims Of Accused Child Molester In Mtn. View

--Bay City News/Images via San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, clockwise from top left: Stephen Espadron; Claude Frazier; Eddie Nute; Exrill Wilson.