SMC Man Arrested On Gang, Weapon Charges: Police

HALF MOON BAY, CA — Deputies arrested another person Wednesday in connection with recent shootings, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.

Detectives said they served a search warrant at the home of Santana Ortiz, 19, on the 12000 block of San Mateo Road in Half Moon Bay early Tuesday morning after linking two separate firearm-related incidents in December 2025 and February 2026. A 17-year-old suspect had already been arrested in connection with the February case, police said.

During the search, detectives said they found a stolen semi-automatic 9mm Glock pistol, reported missing from Henderson, Nevada; and an unserialized semi-automatic .40 caliber Glock-style pistol.

Investigators are determining which guns were used in the earlier incidents.

The investigation began in December 2025 when deputies responded to reports of gunshots on the 400 block of Oak Avenue, police said. A car fleeing the area was later located and identified as being driven by Ortiz, with a 17-year-old boy passenger, police said.

Ortiz was arrested at that time for concealing a dirk or dagger, though no firearm was recovered, police said.

He was booked into Maguire Correctional Facility on charges including participation in a criminal street gang, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, prohibited person owning or possessing ammunition, receiving stolen property, possession of an unserialized firearm and committing a felony while out on bail.

In February 2026, deputies responded to a report of a suspect brandishing and discharging a firearm on Iris Lane. The same 17-year-old boy was identified, arrested and booked on multiple charges, including assault with a firearm and willful discharge of a firearm, police said.

No gun was recovered during this incident either, police said.