Crime & Safety
San Mateo Men Accused Of Stealing Electricity From School: Photos
They were accused of damaging an air conditioning unit at an elementary school to access it with extension cords to use power.
BELMONT, CA — Two San Mateo residents were arrested Wednesday on suspicion of attempting to use electricity from a nearby elementary school to power their encampment.
Ryan Tuli, 26, and Edgar SanchezArellano, 33, were both charged with theft of utility services. They were accused of damaging an air conditioning unit to access it with extension cords to use power, according to Belmont police.
Officers followed the extension cord to an encampment in the open space next to the school, where they found the two men, police said. Several items in the encampment were being powered by the school’s electricity, according to police.
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Tuli and SanchezArellano were also arrested on outstanding warrants. Police said they were responsible for a brush fire in the area last July.
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