Crime & Safety

Rookie Belmont K-9 Unit Aids in San Mateo Arrests

The incident on Christmas Eve involved multiple Peninsula law enforcement agencies working together.

Teamwork among Peninsula police officers extended to a local K-9 unit in a Christmas Eve arrest in San Mateo.

San Mateo police officers were on the lookout following a broadcast of a suspicious vehicle and subjects by the Burlingame Police Department at about 7:20 p.m. on Dec. 24, according to San Mateo Police Sgt. Dave Norris.

Burlingame Police reported that the suspects were seen looking into parked vehicles, and like agencies all over the area, the San Mateo Police Department is well aware of the epidemic problem of thefts from vehicles

Officer Adam Smith spotted the suspects and their vehicle, a silver sedan, in the area of the downtown San Mateo parking garages.

This area has been a high-frequency target for vehicle burglaries, according to Norris.

Officer Smith made a traffic stop on the vehicle in the 100 block of South Ellsworth Street, but one of the occupants was combative and fled from officers on foot, leaving the other suspect and an unoccupied and still-rolling suspect vehicle behind.

The other suspect, 31-year-old Demario Holmes of San Francisco was arrested, and no officers were injured, Norris said.

SMPD called for support from nearby, and Rookie K9 "Kilo" and his handler, Officer Friedman responded.

"Kilo" assisted SMPD by tracking the suspect, 20-year-old Travell Council of San Francisco, to a nearby rooftop, where he was safely taken into SMPD custody. 

Council and Holmes were both booked into San Mateo County Jail. Council was arrested on suspicion of Resisting Arrest, Assault on a Police Officer and an outstanding warrant for domestic violence. Holmes was arrested on suspicion of Possession of Burglary Tools, Evading Police and Violation of Parole. SMPD Detectives continue follow up to determine if these suspects are related to other crimes. 

This case highlights the cooperative efforts of Peninsula law enforcement agencies, Norris said.


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