$4k In Tools Stolen From Construction Site In San Mateo County: Police

REDWOOD CITY, CA — Officers arrested a suspect Tuesday in connection with construction site burglaries in San Mateo where over $4,000 worth of tools were taken, police said.

Police arrested Diego Sanchez Palomares, 23, Tuesday in South San Francisco, police said.

On May 21, the San Mateo Police Department began investigating a report of a burglary from a construction site on the 2100 block of Palm Avenue, police said. Officers said they learned that over $4,000 worth of tools were stolen from the site between May 16 and 17 as well as between May 20 and 21.

Police said a community service officer assigned to the case searched for security cameras in the area and on May 27 found video footage of a man jumping over the construction site fence on May 16 and return to a nearby shelter with the stolen property, where shelter staff identified the suspect as Palomares. The staff also said he had returned to the building with the tools, police said.

“This case highlights how important security camera systems are, whether for your home or for your business. They play an invaluable part in solving crime, and furthermore, they become valuable evidence during prosecution,” police said.

At around 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, South San Francisco police officers said they found Palomares and called the SMPD. Officers transported him back to the SMPD, interviewed him and he was then booked into the San Mateo County Jail on the charge of second degree burglary, police said.

“Another important thing to highlight is the need to document serial numbers, values, makes, models, and descriptions of your valuables. This information helps us to identify and return stolen property to its rightful owners,” police said.