San Mateo: Armed robber who stole nearly $16,000 last month arrested

SAN MATEO – Authorities on Monday arrested a 21-year-old San Mateo man in connection with the armed robbery of a check-cashing business last month in the city.

The robbery happened on June 8 in the 600 block of South Norfolk Street. The man gave the cashier a note and threatened to kill her with a gun, the San Mateo Police Department said in a news release. The cashier handed over nearly $16,000.

Police used security and surveillance camera footage to piece together what the man did next: He walked to Patricia Avenue, where he was picked up about five minutes later by a car used for ridesharing.

Search warrants for records at the rideshare company led to the identification of a suspect, police said.

Around 12:10 p.m. Monday, officers arrested the man during a traffic stop in Redwood City. Two loaded guns and drugs were found in his car and ammunition and evidence linking him to the armed robbery were found at his home, police said.

He was booked into San Mateo County jail on charges including second-degree robbery, grand theft, carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle and possessing a controlled substance.

Police said the man was also arrested last year for unlawful possession of a firearm.