Teen Suspected in String of Car Break-Ins Arrested

Photo via Shutterstock

By Bay City News Service

San Mateo police early Wednesday morning arrested a man who is suspected of committing more than a dozen vehicle burglaries in the last month.

Shortly after midnight, officers responded to a report of a possible auto burglary in progress in the 700 block of Pico Avenue, police said.

The caller told police they noticed a suspicious person inside their neighbor’s vehicle. The witness reported the suspect had fled on foot, heading east on Pico Avenue, according to police.

When officers arrived in the area, they quickly located the suspect as he continued to flee, running across Alameda de Las Pulgas, police said.

Police were able to detain the man, 19-year-old San Mateo resident Ryan Chalmers, and the witness identified him as the suspect, police said.

After an initial investigation, police learned Chalmers was currently out on bail while awaiting trial for robbery charges, police said. After searching the area, officers found a stolen backpack that Chalmers had allegedly discarded as he fled, police said.

Officer also identified Chalmers as the suspect allegedly connected to 15 vehicle thefts from unlocked vehicles in the San Mateo Village neighborhood that occurred on June 28, according to police.

Detectives are working to determine if Chalmers is involved in other similar crimes, police said.