Suspected San Mateo Burglar in Police Custody

An investigation into multiple residential burglaries in San Mateo that has been going on since the first incident in May has lead to the identification of a suspect that is currently in police custody.

Devante Hampton, 20, a transient, formerly of Hayward, is currently in custody in Contra Costa County, having been arrested for warrants out of that county, as well as in connection with at least three San Mateo burglaries that took place in May and June of this year.

The Burglaries

On May 18 at about 1:30 p.m., a residential burglary occurred in the 1500 block of Cherrywood. In this case, San Mateo Police report that an alert resident noticed two subjects walking alongside her home. She immediately called police, but the two suspects fled prior to police arrival. 

The two suspects had already committed a residential burglary in the same neighborhood, during which the residents were out of town.

On June 4 at about 6:45 p.m., a second residential burglary occurred in the 300 block of Greenfield. In this case, police reported a resident observed three male subjects in the backyard of a residence on Greenfield. The resident immediately called police, but again, the suspects fled in a vehicle prior to police arrival. Upon investigation of the scene, police determined a burglary had indeed occurred while the residents were away. 

The suspects abandoned their vehicle a short distance from the burglarized home - however, officers were unable to locate the suspects after a lengthy search of the area. 

Investigators took possession of the abandoned car and located evidence which provided investigative leads.

Descriptions of the suspects in both cases were similar. Police report that witnesses described the suspects as black males, approximately 20 to 25 years of age, wearing dark clothing.

Jewelry, money and computer equipment were taken in both of the above burglaries.

There was no one home at either residence when the burglaries occurred.   

The Arrest

Over the course of the last month, San Mateo police detectives followed up on their investigative leads, including looking into the registered owner of the vehicle the suspects abandoned.    

Detectives identified one of the suspects involved in the San Mateo residential burglaries in May and June as Devante Hampton. 

An arrest warrant was issued for Hampton, and on Tuesday, San Mateo police detectives learned that Hampton had been arrested in Contra Costa County for the San Mateo warrant and other outstanding warrants in Contra Costa County. 

Detectives are continuing to try and identify the other two suspects.

"This is still an ongoing investigation, and more arrests are possible," San Mateo Police public information officer Lieutenant Ted Gonzales said in a statement Friday.

Lt. Gonzales added, "The San Mateo Police Department's timely response and thorough investigation, which ultimately resulted in an arrest, was made, in part, with the help of alert neighbors who were watching out for each other and immediately called police upon seeing suspicious activity."

According to Gonzales, the investigation has been turned over to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office, and Hampton is currently being held on charges in Contra Costa Jail. 

San Mateo police detectives are working with other agencies to see if Hampton is responsible for any other burglaries.

Anyone with additional information about these burglaries, or any other crimes occurring in San Mateo, is asked to contact the following numbers:

SMPD Investigations:  650-522-7650

Secret Witness Line:    650-522-7676

Text Anonymously:      650-262-3473

E-mail Anonymously:   sanmateo@tipnow.org

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