Man Arrested After Disturbance at Restaurant

A Redwood City man was arrested Monday after he threatened employees with a knife in a Belmont restaurant.

Shortly before 4pm, Belmont Police responded to a report of a man with a knife at Classic 101 Burgers & Shakes, in the 500 block of Ralston Avenue. As they were responding, officers were advised that the suspect had fled eastbound on Ralston Avenue. Officers arrived within a minute and took the suspect, Cesar Apolinar-Villalobos, 28, of Redwood City into custody without incident.

According to witnesses, Apolinar-Villalobos a former restaurant employee, went to the business and was talking to employees for approximately an hour. While he was there, Apolinar-Villalobos began talking to the pregnant wife of one of the employees and that employee asked Apolinar-Villalobos to leave.

Once outside, an argument ensued between the two men, during which Apolinar-Villalobos vandalized the employee’s vehicle. The employee went back into the restaurant, followed by Apolinar-Villalobos. Apolinar-Villalobos armed himself with an 8-inch bladed knife from the kitchen and threatened both the employee and his wife.

As this was occurring, a witness called 9-1-1. When Apolinar-Villalobos heard approaching sirens, he discarded the knife and ran from the restaurant. He was taken into custody by Belmont Police across the street and the knife was recovered.

The employee sustained minor injuries during the incident, but declined medical aid. His wife was not injured, but she was checked at the scene by Belmont Fire Department paramedics and transported to a local hospital as a precaution, due to her pregnancy.

Apolinar-Villalobos was transported to the San Mateo County Jail in Redwood City where he was booked on multiple charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, assault and vandalism.

--Belmont Police Department news release.