UPDATED at 2:50 p.m. Jan. 21: Los Altos Police apprehended the second suspect Tuesday morning. For more details, see the Jan. 28 edition of the Town Crier.
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A Los Altos Hills resident’s instinct to call the sheriff’s office when two suspicious people knocked on his door may have thwarted a burglary.
The Loyola Drive resident’s report to the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office Monday night (Jan. 19) led to the arrest of one of the men for auto theft and outstanding warrants; the other suspect escaped.
“There is no doubt in our mind that these guys were out here to commit a burglary,” said Captain Rick Sung, Commander Chief of the West Valley Division.
The resident contacted the sheriff’s Office at approximately 8 p.m. Monday after the two men asked him for gas, according to Sung. Deputies arrived minutes later, located the suspects – described as Hispanic males – and soon discovered they both had multiple warrants for their arrests.
One suspect fled the scene and escaped capture, despite the search perimeter set up by deputies, who dispatched K-9 officers and received air assistance from a San Jose Police Department helicopter.
The second suspect was arrested on warrants for vehicle theft, drug possession and driving without a license. His bail was set at $47,000.
According to Sung, the arrested suspect said that he and his associate were in the area “looking for a party.” Their vehicle – reported as stolen – was found parked along Interstate 280. Sung said that marijuana and methamphetamine pipes were found inside.
Sung said the sheriff’s office and neighboring agencies are on the lookout for the other suspect. In addition to facing warrants for possession of methamphetamine and being under the influence of controlled substances (totaling $110,00 in bail), Sung said the suspect now faces additional charges for fleeing the scene and stealing a vehicle.
Although burglaries in Los Altos Hills dipped in October through December, Sung encouraged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity – just like the Loyola Drive resident did.
“Don’t wait five minutes or 10 minutes,” he said. “Our deputies will be there in minutes.”
