Alleged residential burglar in Redwood City and San Carlos arrested

Redwood City police responded with the use of a drone that helped them track a suspect seen fleeing from the home. The suspect later identified as Aguilar Sarabia was arrested without incident and officers recovered jewelry and other valuables that were taken from the home, where the main electrical breaker had been switched off prior to the break-in, sheriff's officials said.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for Aguilar Sarabia's home and found property and evidence linked to at least one additional residential burglary in Redwood City as well as a Jan. 9 home invasion in San Carlos, according to the Sheriff's Office.

In the San Carlos case, a suspect forced entry into a home on the 1400 block of Greenwood Avenue, pointed what appeared to be a firearm at a victim and demanded money and valuables, then fled on a bicycle, sheriff's officials said.

Investigators were able to link the cases with the help of the Sheriff's Office Forensic Laboratory, and Aguilar Sarabia, who has remained in custody since Jan. 17, was booked on suspicion of the additional offenses.

San Mateo County Sheriff Ken Binder said in a news release that the case "represents the very best of our profession" because of the collaboration between the Sheriff's Office and Redwood City police.

District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said Sarabia was asked why he was arrested and replied, “my own stupidity.” The DA’s Office is still making a filing decision in the alleged San Carlos home invasion, Wagstaffe said, and noted Sarabia has another open felony case for illegal possession of a firearm. He was charged with four counts of residential burglary and three misdemeanors, including resisting arrest, Wagstaffe said.

Anyone with information about the cases is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office at (650) 363-4911 or Redwood City police at (650) 780-7100.