Police Alert

This ‘Community Alert’ information is being sent to you by Lieutenant Mike Brunicardi of the San Mateo Police Department. We at the SMPD take pride in alerting our community partners about activities and current events relevant to neighborhood incidents. This message is being sent as a blind copy e-mail so no one will have access to your e-mail information

PRESS RELEASE/COMMUNITY ALERT
CITY OF SAN MATEO POLICE DEPARTMENT
PIO Lieutenant Mike Brunicardi
200 Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94403
http://www.cityofsanmateo.org

SUSPICIOUS PERSON / POSSIBLE ATTEMPT KIDNAP

On Thursday, May 13, 2010, about 2:45 PM, SMPD Officers responded to a report of a Suspicious Person who tried to grab a toddler from his grandmother inside the M&H Market at 159 North Kingston Street in San Mateo.

The 53 year-old San Mateo resident VICTIM Grandmother was walking with her 15 month old Grandson (toddler) inside the store. The SUSPECT approached the Victims and repeatedly said sexually inappropriate comments. The Victim picked up her grandson and began to walk away. The Suspect grabbed the arm of the toddler and appeared to attempt to pull the toddler away. The Victim yelled for help while the Suspect yelled back daring her to call the police… The Suspect left the store, got on the below bicycle and rode away. The Suspect was last seen on Bayshore Blvd., and Monte Diablo Ave. near the US 101 Pedestrian Overpass. Witnesses to this incident indicated that the suspect appeared intoxicated or emotionally or mentally challenged.

A follow-up in the area with businesses and residents continues today. Surveillance systems in the area may have captured an image of the Suspect. We are checking to determine if any photo is available.

The SMPD takes any situation involving the safety of children very seriously. We will pursue all avenues to identify the involved person responsible for this act. The police department will be working in the neighborhoods, and providing increased police presence.

SUSPECT INFORMATION: The Suspect is described as a Hispanic Male Adult, about 25 years old; clean cut hair, unknown facial hair, 5’-8” tall, about 160 pounds. The Suspect rode a Green Woman’s bicycle that had very high handlebars. The Suspect was Spanish speaking.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! If you were in the area, at the date/time noted, and might have seen anything relevant to this incident, please call the SMPD Investigations Unit at 522-7650, or call the SMPD Anonymous Secret Witness Line at 522-7676.

The San Mateo Police Department wants to remind parents to be watchful over their children. For more information please refer to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at http://www.missingkids.com. For the older kids, be sure to teach children about basic street sense safety:
Make sure your child knows their full name, address and phone number
Be sure your kids know to call 9-1-1 or have the police department emergency number programmed into their cell phone ( 650-522-7700 650-522-7700 ) if they have one
Remind your child to never talk to strangers or accept rides or gifts from someone they don’t know. Review scenarios that strangers might use to get your child into a car (offering candy/toys/money/or asking for help to find a puppy/etc…) additionally, tell them if a stranger tries to contact them, RUN AWAY, SCREAM, and TELL a trusted adult. Remember, a dangerous stranger doesn’t want any attention and strangers don’t necessarily look strange
Encourage your children to walk with a group, not alone
Be sure your child knows to stay away from vacant buildings, alleys, dangerous places and “short cuts”
Make sure your children are taking the safest routes to and from school, stores and friends’ houses. Walk the routes together and point out places they could go for help
Encourage kids to be alert and tell a police officer, teacher, or a trusted neighbor about anything they see that doesn’t seem quite right

Please help us make your neighborhood safer and take a stand against crime. Please report all criminal behavior, join a neighborhood watch program, and help anyone that might fall victim to a crime. For additional information in regards to Neighborhood Watch, please contact Sergeant Dave Norris at 522-7626 or visit our web http://www.cityofsanmateo.org.