San Mateo Police Warn of 'Door-Knock' Burglars

A series of residential burglaries have occurred in the Fiesta Gardens and Shoreview neighborhoods of San Mateo in recent weeks, and police are warning residents to be on the alert.

The burglaries, which are part of a Peninsula-wide increase in property crimes, are generally following the "door-knock" profile, in which thieves first knock on a door on a pretext to check if residents are home, police said.

Most of the burglaries are occurring during weekdays and daytime hours, and target unoccupied homes.

Suspect vehicles seen in connection with the crimes include a charcoal-colored, four-door Acura and a dark-colored minivan, police said.

Residents are encouraged to answer the door verbally, without opening it, to let potential thieves know that they are home. If suspects refuse to leave when asked to do so, call police immediately.

In addition, all doors and windows should be locked, even for short trips away from the home.

Police have made several arrests in connection to other burglaries in recent weeks, and continue to investigate leads on unsolved cases. They are also conducting saturation patrols and undercover operations.

Anyone with information should call San Mateo police at 650-522-7650 or 650-522-7676 to leave an anonymous tip.

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