Burglary Crew Caught In The Act, Sparking Manhunt In SMC: Police

HILLSBOROUGH, CA — A quick call from a neighbor helped Hillsborough police interrupt an attempted residential burglary early in July, leading to one arrest while two other suspects remained at large, according to police.

Officers responded around 9:37 p.m. July 18 to the 300 block of West Santa Inez Avenue after a resident reported seeing an SUV parked outside a neighboring home, and two masked suspects climb over a gate and enter the property while a third person remained in the vehicle.

Police arrived within minutes and detained the driver, who was still parked in front of the home. The resident identified the SUV as the same vehicle involved in the attempted burglary, police said.

Authorities from multiple San Mateo County agencies established a perimeter and searched the neighborhood with drones and K-9 teams. Investigators found that a rear window of the home had been shattered and recovered a discarded backpack containing burglary tools, including power tools. The two masked suspects were not found and remain outstanding.

The home was unoccupied at the time of the break-in, and no injuries were reported. Police said they are still determining whether anything was stolen.

The SUV was impounded, and the driver was arrested on suspicion of residential burglary, conspiracy and possession of stolen property, police said.

Police also said the vehicle displayed stolen license plates.

Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage, examining evidence recovered from the scene and processing electronic devices seized from the vehicle. Police asked residents in the area of West Santa Inez Avenue and Roblar Avenue to review home surveillance footage recorded between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. that night and contact investigators with any relevant information.