Francisco Cruzramirez
After a yearlong investigation, a man was arrested over the weekend for allegedly stealing $2 million worth of property, including numerous firearms, in 57 residential burglaries throughout San Mateo County.
Francisco Antonio Cruzramirez, 20, of both East Palo Alto and Modesto, has been charged with 57 counts of felony residential burglary and was booked at the Maguire Correctional Facility on $5 million bail.
Between September 2018 and May 2019, Cruzramirez allegedly committed 13 burglaries in the Sheriff’s Office’s jurisdiction, 12 burglaries in South San Francisco, 12 burglaries in Belmont, seven burglaries in Burlingame, five burglaries in Foster City, three burglaries in San Mateo and two burglaries in San Bruno.
Among the property that Cruzramirez allegedly stole was primarily jewelry and electronics as well as more than 100 firearms, said San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe. Police seized from his home eight rifles, three shotguns, two handguns, ammunition and a bulletproof vest that Cruzramirez likely intended to sell on the black market, Wagstaffe added.
Cruzramirez broke into homes typically by shattering sliding glass doors and sometimes a back window when no one was home, though on five occasions the home was occupied when he entered, Wagstaffe said.
Cruzramirez typically worked alone, though in several incidents he worked with at least two other people, Wagstaffe noted. Last year, one of them was arrested after dropping his phone while escaping from a home he had just burglarized. Police recovered the phone and found Cruzramirez’s contact information in it, Wagstaffe said.
“That’s what got [police] onto Cruzramirez,” Wagstaffe said, adding that home surveillance footage was also instrumental in connecting Cruzramirez to the home burglaries.
Investigators believe Cruzramirez is connected to one or more gangs, but there is insufficient evidence showing the burglaries were committed to advance gang purposes, Wagstaffe added.
Cruzramirez was arrested in Modesto in a wild series of events that began with a routine traffic stop. After police attempted to pull him over, he took them on a lengthy chase and managed to lose them before crashing his car. Cruzramirez sustained injuries in the crash and was taken to a hospital, where he managed to escape before being identified as a wanted man. But within hours, Cruzramirez was located by police not far from the hospital and taken to jail.
Cruzramirez was also wanted for residential burglaries in numerous other counties, Wagstaffe said. Cruzramirez is set to enter his plea on April 29.
(650) 344-5200 ext. 102
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(8) comments
I’m surprised they caught this guy. Oh wait, he was caught in Modesto. SMC law enforcement was probably busy citing people on the beach. Now that this guy was arrested, let’s hope he isn’t set free, since SMC has been releasing hundreds of inmates in the past few months. Other than this last chase and crash, he didn’t appear to be a threat to public safety. Unfortunately, I’m not being sarcastic. Please remember these activities by San Mateo County, especially when they’re looking for tax increases, parcel taxes, or any other type of tax to support law enforcement. Instead, spend the money on security and self-defense.
Sits in a Redwood City jail on San Mateo Cases not Modesto... read the surveillance after tracking of cell phone, no one dropped the ball on this!!!. Great job San Mateo County. Keep supporting law enforcement and public safety!
Mr. O'Donnell, I know it's an RC jail. That's why I mentioned SMC possibly releasing him. Who knows whether bail will hold? And read the article, surveillance is from a home security system, not cell phone tracking. They found contact information on the phone. And yes, great job - only 57 burglaries occurred. Please feel free to support law enforcement as much as you can so new taxes will not be proposed.
Good investigation. If we know all these cities were hit, that means our law enforcement agencies were working together for the betterment of the entire County.
I also hope this criminal remains in custody. It’s unfortunate that our State continues to get softer on crime and criminals.
I suggest moving to a better city since you obviously not happy with San Mateo. Actually you don't seem to be happy about anything.
Did you read? This person is in the San Mateo County Jail and bail is set at five million. Please read the facts and not make up the rest. I hear Las Vegas is a great place to live. :-)
Does that wash away the fact that when officers who enforce what is legally correct and morally wrong still make it right? Maybe people are not that comfortable in losing their freedom for some conflicting message of safety from our leaders.
Jonathan, maybe you should read the Apr 11, 2020 “Jails continue to release inmates article” in the SMDJ written by Zachary Clark to understand that bail amounts can, and has been, considerably reduced or set to zero. Especially the part about how once inmates are released, they’re not monitored in any way and there’s no supervision. Keep this in mind when SMC wants more taxpayer money for criminal justice. Is it any wonder Americans are purchasing record-breaking numbers of firearms due to COVID? Unfortunately, Las Vegas is also releasing inmates so people there may also need to exercise their second amendment rights. But Nevada doesn’t have state or local income taxes, so it’s harder to get as upset about wasteful tax spending.
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