Hillsborough Man Accused In Attempted Cell Phone Theft

HILLSBOROUGH, CA — A man arrested Monday night in San Mateo is accused of attempting to steal a victim's cell phone and chasing him when he refused to hand it over, according to police.

Investigators said a 911 caller reported a man chasing someone near Coyote Point Park around 7:15 p.m.

The victim told police a man with what appeared to be a pistol in his waistband approached him while he was walking and demanded his phone. Police said the victim distracted the suspected and ran toward the park, where he escaped and called police.

Witnesses told police the suspect got into a white SUV and provided a license plate number, which officers soon found parked outside Target at the BridgePointe Shopping Center. Police waited for the driver to return and took him into custody without incident.

The suspect was identified Tuesday as Micheal Bruni, 33, of Hillsborough.

Police said a search of the vehicle turned up a BB gun that resembled a Glock handgun, along with drug paraphernalia. Officers learned Bruni was out on bail from a previous arrest, and he was rebooked into jail on suspicion of multiple charges.