Murder Suspect Picked Up In Car Break-In Operation

SAN MATEO, CA — While conducting an "auto-burglary, hot-spot" operation Tuesday in San Mateo, police arrested three individuals — one wanted as an East Coast murder suspect and another sought for a Napa Valley robbery, according to authorities.

Undercover, "plainclothes" police officers were running the operation to curtail car break-ins at the Marina Plaza Shopping Center on South Norfolk Street and East Hillsdale Boulevard, when a foursome was stopped for "suspicious activity" at about 4:30 p.m., the San Mateo Police Department said.

"Officers observed four suspects loitering and watching the parking lot from a vehicle that was backed into a stall, which is one of many tactics used by auto burglars," the department said. "The officers saw one suspect exit his vehicle and rummage through another vehicle, after checking car door handles in the parking lot. At that time, officers swiftly moved in and stopped the suspects in their tracks."

Of the four, three — all from New York City — subsequently were arrested, with two having outstanding warrants for felony crimes, including murder and robbery, police said.

Arrested were: Steven Marinez, 21 of New York, NY, on suspicion of possession of burglary tools and a narcotic, providing false identification to a peace officer and a New York homicide warrant; Justin Viloria, 24, also from New York, for a Napa County robbery warrant; and New Yorker Joel Figuereo, 22, for alleged possession of fraudulent documents and burglary tools, police said.

The fourth subject was identified and released at the scene, the agency said.

It ws during fingerprinting to confirm identities that officials learned Marinez and Viloria had outstanding warrants, police said, adding that investigators also found the suspects allegedly were in possession of an unreported stolen vehicle, fraudulent documents and the auto-burglary tools.

The trio was booked at the San Mateo County Main Jail, police said.

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