Belmont Police Arrest Man Allegedly Linked to Car Thefts

The Belmont Police Department early Tuesday morning arrested an 18-year-old man after allegedly finding items stolen from vehicles in his possession.

A police officer on patrol contacted Jesse Salgado of Menlo Park at about 4 a.m. in the 500 block of Ralston Avenue, Belmont police Lt. Pat Halleran said.

Salgado was allegedly found to be under the influence of a controlled substance. Police arrested him and promptly found him in possession of a GPS unit, which they later learned had been taken from a parked vehicle in the 400 block of Ralston Avenue.

Further investigation linked Salgado to the theft of a camera from another parked vehicle, as well as the attempted theft of the vehicle itself in the 100 block of Ralston Avenue, Halleran said.

Salgado was booked into the San Mateo County Jail in Redwood City on suspicion of attempted auto-theft and possession of stolen property.

Other charges, including being under the influence of a controlled substance, are pending.

Belmont police detectives are continuing to follow-up on these cases and are also looking to see if Salgado has been involved in any other similar crimes.

The Belmont Police Department is reminding residents to lock their vehicles when they are parked on the street or in their driveway.

“Both of the vehicles in this case had been left unlocked,” Police Chief Don Mattei said in a statement. “Securing your property against theft is an important step in keeping our community safe.” Mattei added.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Belmont Police at 650-595-7400 or the Belmont Police Crime Tip Line at 650-598-3000.