Warning Shot Scares Off Thief In Redwood City; 1 Arrested: Police

REDWOOD CITY, CA — A man was arrested Thursday after attempting to steal a vehicle in Redwood City and fleeing the scene before he was located by an infrared drone, according to police.

Police said dispatch received two 911 calls reporting the sound of gunshots from Sanchez Way and Oak Avenue shortly before 4:30 a.m. Thursday. Officers learned that the victim had heard suspicious sounds outside his home and went outside to find six people in the street near parked a Charger and Corvette.

The man told police he heard a loud noise that sounded like gunfire. Police said the man had a concealed carry permit and pointed his gun at the ground to fire a "warning shot" to scare away the suspects who fled in the two vehicles.

Police said both vehicles were found near Woodside Road and Broadway, noting the Corvette had crashed into a street sign near the highway offramp. Officers worked with the California Highway Patrol, Atherton Police Department and San Mateo County Sheriff's Office to set up a perimeter and search for the driver of the Corvette.

A drone from Atherton helped police narrow the area where the suspect was hiding, and officers used a K9 to successfully locate the suspect. Police said the man was taken into custody without incident, and the vehicle he was driving was reported stolen out of San Jose. The Charger was last seen heading northbound on Highway 101.

Anyone with information on the case can contact detectives at 650-780-7607.