Shoplifting Suspects Arrested After Foot Chase In San Mateo: Police

SAN MATEO, CA — San Mateo Police Department officers arrested two men on Wednesday, after they shoplifted from a store and then attempted to escape on foot, police said.

At around 1:01 p.m., SMPD officers said they responded to a report of a retail theft. The suspects had allegedly stolen items valued between $300 and $500 before leaving the store located at 600 block of Concar Drive on foot.

An officer quickly located two subjects matching the description at the nearby train station. When confronted, both men fled, leading officers on a brief foot pursuit. One suspect, identified as Luis Carstens, was detained shortly thereafter, police said. The second subject, Darol Warnock Jr., was spotted and detained at Leslie Street and 17th Avenue, police said.

During the chase, the suspects discarded the stolen items, but all merchandise, valued at a total of approximately $815, was recovered and returned to the store, police said.

Both suspects were initially arrested on shoplifting charges. During a search incident to arrest, officers discovered suspected drugs belonging to Carstens and drug paraphernalia belonging to Warnock, police said.

After being medically cleared, both 30-year-old Luis Carstens, a San Jose resident, and 48-year-old Darol Warnock Jr., an Oregon resident, were transported and booked into the San Mateo County Jail.

Carstens faces charges including Shoplifting, Destroy/Conceal evidence, Obstruct/Resist a Peace Officer, and a pending charge for Possessing a controlled substance with two or more priors. Warnock Jr. was booked for Shoplifting, Conspiracy to commit a crime, and Possession of unlawful paraphernalia.