Duo Tries to Steal Peninsula Mall ATM, Lead Police on Pursuit: Sheriff's Office

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA – Two individuals were arrested Saturday morning after they attempted to steal an ATM machine from a mall near Half Moon Bay, then led sheriff's deputies on a pursuit, sheriff's officials said.

At 3:15 a.m., San Mateo County sheriff's deputies responded to a report of a possible commercial burglary in progress at a shopping center located in the 200 block of Capistrano Road in the unincorporated San Mateo County community of Princeton.

According to sheriff's officials, the suspects allegedly broke a large window in order to enter the mall and were seen attempting to steal the ATM machine inside. They fled the scene in a gray colored full-size pickup truck before deputies arrived.

Responding deputies observed a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle's description at the intersection of state Highway 1 and Kelly Avenue in Half Moon Bay. When they attempted to stop the vehicle, the suspects inside failed to yield and continued driving east on state Highway 92.

California Highway Patrol officers followed the vehicle until it crashed in San Jose. The suspects were taken into custody.

The suspects were identified as 31-year-old Joseph Goulart and 36-year-old Mario Darosa, both of San Jose. They were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, and later booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility on suspicion of commercial burglary, failure to yield and conspiracy.

Sheriff's deputies later learned that a business in the 100 block of Main Street in Half Moon Bay was also burglarized. Deputies believe that the two burglaries are related and are investigating.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact San Mateo County sheriff's Det. Carey at (650) 259-2321 or pcarey@smcgov.org. Individuals who want to remain anonymous can call the anonymous tip line at 1-800-547-2700.

– By Bay City News Service

IMAGES: Joseph Goulart, left, and Mario Darosa, right. CREDIT: San Mateo County Sheriff's Office