Auto Burglary Suspect Arrested

For Immediate Release: December 14, 2018
Contact: Captain Tracy Avelar, F.C.P.D., (650) 286-3300

On December 13, 2018 around 3:06 PM, FCPD responded to an auto burglary that had just occurred in the parking lot of Costco. A witness provided a vehicle and suspect description. Officers checking the area located a subject and vehicle that matched the description provided by the witness. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle as the suspect threw property out of the window. The suspect attempted to evade officers, but ultimately stopped his vehicle. Property from the auto burglary was located in the vehicle as well as other property that is currently under observation. The suspect, 18-year-old Okusitino Tau out of San Mateo, was arrested on charges of Burglary, Possession of Burglary Tools and Destroying or Concealing Evidence.   

In this case as well as most auto thefts and burglaries, the suspect was looking for easy targets. The Foster City Police Department reminds all our residents to avoid being a victim by taking a few simple steps.  The first is to lock your car, regardless of whether it is parked in a public parking lot, carport or your driveway.  The second is to avoid storing valuables in your vehicle, especially in plain view of others.  In most cases, thefts from cars are a crime of opportunity.  Suspects target areas with high concentrations of vehicles, first checking for those that are unlocked and then for those with visible items of value. The most sought after items continue to be purses, laptop computers, electronic devices, and cash/coins.  Owners can easily store these items out of sight, or better yet, remove them from the vehicle entirely.

The Police Department works diligently to patrol our streets and provide a visible deterrent to criminals, but crime prevention is a community effort. Residents are urged to use these simple crime prevention strategies and to report suspicious people and situations immediately, which the witness did in this particular case.  When making these reports, the description of the person and/or vehicle is very important.  Together we can continue to keep Foster City one of the safest communities to live, work and play.
 

JOE PIERUCCI 
CHIEF OF POLICE
Tip Line:  650-286-3323

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