Police on the Peninsula are investigating a string of car burglaries that left more than a dozen families a mess to clean up.
San Mateo neighbors are concerned these thieves are still on the loose. Police are working on leads to try and bring these people in.
These burglaries may have been committed by the same person or group of people.
Albert Montoia is on disability and has a fixed income.
But now, he has to figure out how he’s going to fix the window on his vehicle.
Like a half-dozen other families on Ottawa Street, thieves smashed his glass looking for something to steal.
“Whoever did it, man, think about it before you do something,” Montoia said. “I’m on a budget and I’m on disability and social security, and I have bills to pay and everything.”
It’s not just the east side of town. Police say a total of 14 cars were burglarized throughout San Mateo between the night of Apr. 22 and the early morning hours of Apr. 23.
“I hope they get them because if they keep on doing it?” Montoia said.
On the west side, near Hillsdale, vehicles were also targeted for electronics, money, and bags. San Mateo police have increased uniformed and undercover patrols in those neighborhoods, as they continue to investigate.
Since then, Lt. Matt Lethin tells KRON4 they’ve made several arrests in unrelated car burglaries.
“We are also exploring those arrests to see if they were responsible,” Lt. Lethin said.
In the meantime, he wants families to be cautious.
“We want them to make sure they’re locking their vehicles, removing valuables from inside, so they discourage the suspects from breaking into their cars,” Lt. Lethin said.
Police are urging people that may have surveillance footage to hand them over.