Police officers have arrested three suspects believed to be responsible for a number of recent burglaries in Belmont and San Mateo.
The suspects -- 27-year-old Nyzeina Shameka Eberhart of San Francisco, and a 15-year-old boy and 16-year-old boy -- were arrested just before 11 a.m. Thursday in Belmont, according to law enforcement officials.
The trio are allegedly responsible for at least one burglary in Belmont, at least two in the city of San Mateo, and at least three in unincorporated San Mateo.
Belmont police were alerted to suspicious activity in the 300 block of Chesterson Avenue by an alert neighbor, who noticed a vehicle being driven by a woman with two males who appeared to be "casing" residences.
Officers arrived quickly and stopped the suspect vehicle, a dark-colored Kia, and its three occupants at Chesterson and Mountain View avenues, police said. San Mateo Police Department officers responded to the area to assist, followed by San Mateo police detectives.
An investigation revealed similarities between the subjects and vehicle, and several residential burglaries committed this week in the city of San Mateo and unincorporated San Mateo, and the three suspects were arrested.
Belmont police, San Mateo police and the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office are working together to match the suspects with other recent burglaries, and are connecting property seized in the investigation to the additional crimes.
The three suspects have been taken into custody on suspicion of residential burglaries, possession of stolen property and conspiracy. The 27-year-old suspect is at San Mateo County Jail, while the two teens have been placed in the Hillcrest juvenile hall.
Local Police Departments offer the following safety message to residents:
Residents everywhere regularly ask law enforcement what they can do to protect themselves from residential burglars, and particularly from the strong recent trend of “solicitor-type” burglaries. Our top answer to this question has always been to remind our community members to call us if you see or hear anything suspicious in your neighborhood! Contact your local law enforcement agency by dialing 911 or calling your agency’s non-emergency dispatch number (listed below). Patrol officers in your area work hard to deter and reduce crime, but we can not be everywhere at once. We encourage all of our community members to “be our extra eyes and ears.” Neighborhood Watch is an effective way to bond together as a neighborhood and watch out for each other. Call your local agency at the numbers below to find out more about Neighborhood Watch in your area.
Secure Your Home When You Are Away –
Even if you are only to be gone for a few minutes, lock the doors and windows in your home when you are leaving. Burglars will search the perimeter of your home to find an easy way in. Any unlocked door or window can serve this purpose, and it only takes a few minutes for your valuables to be taken. Also – mark your valuables, record serial numbers, and take photos so that these items could be identified by police if they are taken.
General Tips About Solicitors –
Follow your instinct. If you feel something is not right with a situation, or if you have any problem with solicitors that makes you suspicious or uncomforatable, contact local law enforcement right away.
Remember - You have no obligation to open your front door to solicitors.
However - Criminals may also prey on empty homes when nobody answers the door, so a firm verbal response from behind your door that you see them out there but you are not interested should make them leave. If it doesn’t, call the police.
For solicitors posing as Public Works, PG&E, and Cal Water workers:
You are always welcome to contact your local public works division to find out if work is scheduled to be done in your area that would require access to your property.
Cal Water can be reached at 650-558-7800 to verify local work being done – all of their employees carry Cal Water ID. http://www.calwater.com/
Customers are encouraged to call PG&E's customer service line at 1-800-PGE-5000 to verify an appointment and/or PG&E's presence in the community.
www.pge.com
