Crime Bulletin – April 2023

Posted on May 1, 2023


Information in this report may not include all responses or participation of the Colma Police Department.

Crimes Investigated

In March of 2023, we took 166 reports, slightly up from 144 in February.  We arrested 83 people for 66 Misdemeanors and 17 Felonies; issued 438 criminal, traffic, and parking citations; and conducted 187 traffic enforcement stops. Between April 1 through April 18, we have already taken 98 reports, made 40 arrests, issued 58 citations, and conducted 68 traffic stops.

Throughout the months of March and April, Colma Police Detectives completed their investigation into a multiple vehicle theft fraud ring.  Three people were arrested and over ten stolen cars were recovered.  Based on this investigation, coupled with numerous additional cases, Detective Mendoza received the 2022 Flock Safety #Solved Award.  Winners were selected by Flock Safety (A Nation-Wide License Plate Reading Technology Company) based on the demonstration of hard work, bravery, and dedication to the public service profession, and the use of Flock Safety technology in pursuit of our mission.

On March 25th, Colma Officers responded to a local retail establishment on the report of a theft in progress.  Officers arrived on scene and arrested a subject for felony theft.  Through the investigation, the officer was able to tie the subject arrested to two additional thefts from the same retail establishment.  All three cases were sent to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

On March 26th, while Colma Officers were conducting a foot patrol in one of our shopping centers they observed a subject with a glass pipe used to ingest fentanyl and methamphetamine sticking out of his pant pocket.  Officers conducted a stop and learned that he was on probation for drug offenses.  Following a search of his person, officers located fentanyl and methamphetamine in his pockets.  The subject was issued a citation and released from the scene.

On March 30th, Colma Officers responded to a local retail store on the report of an Organized Retail Theft group committing a burglary.  It was reported that the three subjects entered the store and stole approximately $1,500 worth of Nike products.  Officers determined that these suspects were associated with a prior case.  Through their investigation, officers were able to identify one of the suspects and submitted the case for an arrest warrant to the District Attorney’s Office.

On April 3rd, Colma Officers responded to two catalytic converter thefts that occurred overnight. The investigation is ongoing.

On April 4th, Colma Officers responded to two related calls in the Sterling Park Neighborhood.  The first call was a vehicle tampering and attempted vehicle theft, where the suspect broke into the victim’s vehicle and broke the ignition.  This occurred on at approximately 3:09 am.  On the second case, the suspect stole a vehicle.  This investigation is ongoing.  If anyone witnessed anything suspicious or has any video surveillance of the below pictured subject, please reach out to the Colma Police Department.

On April 4th, Colma Officers responded to a local retail store on the report of a known retail theft suspect who had just stolen approximately $2,000 worth of merchandise.  Upon the officers’ arrival, they attempted to make a stop on the suspect vehicle.  The subject failed to yield to the officers and fled the scene.  The officers did not pursue the subject due to the risk to public safety.  Two days later, the Daly City Police Department arrested the same subject for a similar theft at one of their retail establishments.  The subject was booked into jail on both the Colma and Daly City theft cases.  The subject bailed out of jail and is awaiting trial.

On April 6th, Colma Officers responded to a local retail establishment on the report of an in-progress theft.  Through their investigation, it was determined that two subjects staged a vehicle in front of the store, loaded approximately $2,000 worth of merchandise into it, and fled the scene. Utilizing our license plate reading cameras, detectives were able to locate the suspect’s vehicle based on the description and time frame of the crime.  The investigation into the vehicle and occupants is ongoing.

Between April 7th and 18th, Colma Officer have taken 59 cases, which include thefts, fraud, commercial burglaries, organized retail thefts, warrant arrests, narcotic related arrests, and various other cases throughout the city.  In comparing our solved cases rate with our closed/unsolved cases, we are solving approximately 56% of our criminal cases with either arrests or requests for warrants.  This is up slightly from our solve rate in 2022, which was 52%.  Our monthly case load is also up.  In 2022, our highest month case count was 116 cases in June of 2022.  So far in 2023, we have taken 154 cases in January, 143 cases in February, and 166 cases in March.  The statistics, coupled with the high solve rate, outline the excellent work officers are doing on a daily basis.

Community Events

4/2/2023 Worship Services Mercy Housing
4/7/23 Mercy Easter Luncheon Mercy Housing
4/8/23 Eggstravaganza Sterling Park
4/9/23 Worship Services Mercy Housing
4/12/23 Council Meeting Town Hall
4/15/23 Town Wide Garage Sale Town Wide
4/16/23 Worship Services Mercy Housing
4/19/23 Senior Luncheon CCC
4/21/23 Arbor Day & Earth Day Sterling Park
4/23/23 Worship Services Mercy Housing
4/26/23 Israeli Flag Raising CCC
4/26/23 Council Meeting Town Hall
4/29/23 Holy Angels Spring Festival Holy Angels School
4/30/23 Worship Services Mercy Housing

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