One Arrested, One at Large After Menlo Park Smash-and-Grab

By Bay City News Service:

Police are looking for a suspect still at large after two men crashed a stolen pickup truck through a glass door at a Menlo Park camera store early Sunday morning in an attempted commercial burglary.

At 5:08 a.m. Sunday, police received a call from a nightshift employee at a nearby business stating that two people had backed through the door of Mike’s Camera at 715 Santa Cruz Ave. Officers were on scene within 40 seconds, according to police.

A male suspect fled on foot through the parking lot, but was caught nearby. He was later identified as Joshua Nelson, a 46-year-old transient from San Francisco, according to police.

Nelson was arrested on suspicion of commercial burglary, possession of burglary tools, possession of stolen property, conspiracy, possession of narcotics paraphernalia and vandalism. Nelson also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest, police said.

Officers from the Palo Alto and Atherton police departments and deputies from the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office assisted with a search of the area, but no additional suspects were located.

The vehicle, a silver Nissan pickup truck, was reported stolen out of San Francisco.

Police said there are some indications and evidence that may link Sunday morning’s smash-and-grab to similar incidents elsewhere in the Bay Area.

The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Menlo Park Police Department at (650) 330-6300. Menlo Park police also have an anonymous tip line at (650) 330-6395.