Sting operation nets two arrests

The two fled east on the catwalk and were apprehended by waiting San Mateo police officers. The woman, 18-year-old Morgaine Cravitz of San Mateo, was booked for felony grand theft and conspiracy. The man, 19-year-old Jamaal Cooper of Redwood City, was arrested for conspiracy, petty theft and possession of marijuana. A third man was detained but later released, Hammerman said.

The operation began at 5 p.m. and lasted until approximately 10:30 p.m.

The overpass has been a hot spot for crime in the past week. On Monday night, two men with a fake pistol robbed a man of his wallet and $51. Last Thursday, a 16-year-old boy received a superficial stabbing wound to the wrist and lip near the overpass. All may have been crimes of opportunity.

"It's a pretty isolated area," Hammerman said. "No one else was on the pedestrian overpass."

Hammerman said additional decoy operations will continue through the summer wherever there is a hot spot.

"Unfortunately, if people have an opportunity to commit a crime they take advantage of it," she said.

Jon Mays can be reached by e-mail at jon@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 107. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.