San Mateo Police Find Heroin, Meth, Stolen Car And More In Shoplifting Arrest: Report

SAN MATEO, CA — San Mateo police said they responded to a report of a suspected shoplifter Thursday at the Hillsdale Shopping Center but upon investigating found drugs and other stolen items, including a car, police said.

At 9:24 p.m. on April 16, police arrived at Macy’s at the Hillsdale Shopping Center after receiving a report of an uncooperative shoplifter in custody.

Macy’s loss prevention officers said they had detained a shoplifter, who SMPD officers said they later identified as Tommy Lee Walter III, 34, an Oakland resident.

Police said they learned Walter was on parole for weapons charges and probation for possession of a stolen vehicle. Walter also had an active warrant for absconding, which is a vague term that can mean fleeing arrest or failure to turn oneself into custody, according to a press release.

Loss prevention officers said they found pepper spray and a black sticky substance, which police said they later identified as heroin, during their search of Walter’s possessions.

Police officers said they then found a programmable key fob for cars on Walter.

“People can actually reprogram these key fobs to steal vehicles so you don't even have to force entry,” said Andrew Peek, an SMPD police officer. “I know that our county vehicle task force, they deal with that stuff a lot, and all the vehicle task forces in the area, that is a common thing.”

Police located a black Acura MDX in the mall parking lot they believed was associated with Walter, police said.

Officers said the car had been stolen out of Oakland. While searching the interior, police said they found several scanned and printed license plates that looked like legitimate plates in size, shape and color. Police learned, through a records check, that the license plates belonged to Acura SUVs from dealerships in Southern California.

Police said they then found MDMA and methamphetamine inside the car.

Officers arrested Walter for petty theft with two or more prior convictions, violation of parole, possession of a controlled substance with two or more prior convictions, forging or altering vehicle registration, possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful possession of a tear gas weapon.

Walter was booked into the San Mateo County Jail, police said.