Alert Neighbor Helps Police Nab Burglars

Two 20-year-old men were arrested on suspicion of burglary this week after an alert neighbor spotted them allegedly stealing from a home in San Mateo and called the police.

The resident reported seeing two men exiting a house in the unit block of Poinsettia Avenue carrying a TV and other property at about 11:40 a.m. Monday, which the resident reported as suspicious behavior to the San Mateo Police Department, San Mateo Police Sgt. Dave Norris said.

The witness relayed a description of the vehicle, a Red Mustang, and the license plate to the police, who responded to the home.

The suspects were gone by the time police arrived, but they alerted other law enforcement agencies and enlisted the help of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office to visit the registed address of the Mustang.

The sheriff's office responded to the home in the 3400 block of Bayshore in unincorporated Redwood City and detained two men, Bruno Silva and James Cruz, Norris said.

Numerous items stolen from the Poinsettia address were allegedly recovered from the suspects.

Both men were arrested on suspicion of burglary, possession of stolen property, and conspiracy.

The San Mateo Police Department offers the following safety tips to residents:

BE PREPARED:

• Engrave a personal identification number on valuable items such as electronics.
• Take close-up detailed photos of jewelry and other valuable items.
• Prepare a personal property inventory of valuable items which includes the items' serial numbers.
• Every layer of security helps – deterrents like dogs, alarm systems (and even alarm signs and stickers), and Neighborhood Watch signs add one more thing to deter potential burglars. 

BE ALERT:

• Do not be afraid to call the police when you see something suspicious. Alert neighbors are responsible for the majority of arrests made in residential burglaries (like this one!).
• Lock all your doors and windows when you leave (even if it’s only for a few minutes).

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