Peninsula Officer Accused Of Connecting With Girl For Sex

SAN MATEO, CA — A San Mateo police officer was arrested this week on suspicion of communicating with a minor with a sexual intent, the San Jose Police Department reported.

San Jose Police got a tip from a concerned citizen on May 11 that Robert Davies, 40, had been communicating with a 16-year-old girl posing as a 19-year-old woman on the Tinder dating app.

Two days later, the police department launched a criminal investigation. Davies was ultimately arrested Thursday.

The tipster had done a little digging and discovered Davies is a San Mateo police officer. His LinkedIn profile also states he served in law enforcement for Burlingame and Redwood City. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps, Bay City News reported.

Davies and the girl continued chatting on the Snapchat app, according to police. Meanwhile, detectives confirmed Davies identity and served search warrants on his electronic devices.

Davies was taken into custody from his Morgan Hill home and booked into Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of contacting a minor to commit a felony. His bail is currently set at $50,000.

San Mateo Police said Davies was placed on paid administrative leave, and a criminal investigation is ongoing into allegations that occurred while he was off-duty in another county.

"This alleged conduct, if true, is in no way a reflection of all that we stand for as a department, and is an affront to the tenets of our department and our profession as a whole," San Mateo Police Chief Susan Manheimer said in a statement.

Anyone with information about Davies or possible additional minors who may have communicated with him are asked to contact San Jose police Detective Michael O'Grady at 408-537-1397.

—By Patch Editor Sue Wood and Bay City News Service