San Mateo man pleads no contest to home burglary

At around 9:30 p.m. that night, the homeowner arrived at the house to find someone forced entry through her bedroom window and stole nearly $2,300 in jewelry, a designer watch and other personal items, according to prosecutors.

Police officers who responded to the scene found wet clothing, a folding knife and a cellphone in the backyard, and were able to determine the phone and knife belonged to Mateo based on photos found on the phone and because an officer recognized Mateo’s knife, according to prosecutors.

Mateo, who is also facing a separate charge of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, was arrested a week after the burglary. He allegedly said he hid in a hot tub full of water in the backyard as he was running away from someone he got into a fight with the night of the burglary and left some of his clothes and phone behind, according to prosecutors.

Given his client’s lack of criminal history, defense attorney Jeff Jackson said he felt the outcome of Mateo’s plea deal was fair. Because he will serve half of his jail term for good behavior, Mateo is expected to be released from jail just before his next court appearance Dec. 20, explained Jackson.

“My client is apologetic and will work hard to pay back what he took,” he said.

District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said the defendant’s leaving his cellphone behind was a key element to solving the burglary.

“Sometimes dumb mistakes by the criminal allows justice to be served,” he said in an email.