Social Media Helps Peninsula Cops Recover Stolen Property

SAN MATEO, CA — A sting that started with a San Mateo burglary victim’s discovery of his property being sold online led to the arrest of a man who confessed to knowingly being in possession of stolen property Tuesday, police said.

The victim searched online for items stolen Sunday from his storage locker in the 100 block of W. 3rd Avenue. and found two items listed on Facebook Marketplace out of San Jose, police said.

The victim notified authorities, who set up a sting with the seller that led to the arrest of Tyghe Mullin, 32 of San Jose, police said.

An investigating officer engaged the "seller" as a prospective "buyer" over a two-day period, police said.

A purchase agreement was reached, and plans were made to meet and complete the transaction Tuesday at Marina Plaza, police said.

Additional patrol officers assisted with the Mullin’s arrest.

Mullin had numerous arrest warrants out of Santa Clara County, police said.

A search of Mullin's person revealed credit card and other personal information that did not belong to him along with drug paraphernalia, according to police.

A search of Mullin’s vehicle revealed at least four items that belonged to the storage locker burglary victim, police said.

Mullin admitted to knowing the property was stolen and that he was the subject the officer engaged with on Facebook Messenger but denied being responsible for the initial burglary, police said.

Mullin was also not the “seller” depicted on Facebook Marketplace, nor did his name match, police said.

Mullin was arrested on suspicion of possessing stolen property among other charges, police said.

Officers will attempt to locate additional victims and determine who else may be involved in this case as the investigation of this case continues according to police.

The SMPD advises the public to keep serial numbers or identifying information of valuables or etching their name or driver’s license number onto items for additional identification. Photos are also helpful. Providing a serial number helps authorities inform other agencies of cases involving stolen property and helps police return recovered stolen property to their owners.