San Mateo police arrested two people Monday morning after finding stolen packages from Belmont inside their vehicle at the Laurie Meadows Shopping Center, the department announced Tuesday, July 21.

The arrests followed a pair of calls to police between 7:34 and 7:41 a.m. Monday, July 20, from residents on the 4100 block of George Avenue. One caller reported a possible tire theft attempt on her vehicle. A second caller reported three suspicious people loitering in a parking area, one on a bicycle, and expressed concern about recent package thefts in the neighborhood.

One witness provided a vehicle description, a license plate number, and a detail that proved key: the car appeared to have a flat tire. The plate came back registered to a person already known to the department, according to the SMPD Nixle alert.

At 8:18 a.m., an officer spotted the suspect vehicle and a bicycle parked and concealed behind a larger vehicle at the Laurie Meadows Shopping Center. Restaurant employees nearby told officers two people associated with the car had entered the business and were in the restroom. Officers waited for them to come out.

Ernie Suazo, 31, of San Jose, identified himself as the vehicle's registered owner. Jessica Navarro, 48, of Redwood City, denied any connection to the car, but officers found the vehicle key in her possession, according to the department.

A search of the vehicle turned up packages belonging to several Belmont residents and an official document belonging to someone from East Palo Alto. Three victims confirmed their packages had been stolen.

Suazo was charged with possession of stolen property and probation violation. Navarro was charged with possession of stolen property and theft with two or more prior convictions. Both were booked into San Mateo County Jail, and a probation hold was placed on Suazo.

A third person seen on a bicycle at the George Avenue scene has not been confirmed as connected to the thefts. The department said its investigation is ongoing and that other police agencies have been notified.

The arrest is the latest in a string of package theft cases SMPD has pursued. In December 2025, officers caught two suspects loading stolen packages into vehicles at an apartment complex on the 200 block of 8th Avenue. In August 2025, two suspects were arrested for burglary after a package theft on the 400 block of Station Park Circle.

SMPD is working to identify additional victims. Anyone missing a delivered package should file a police report by calling (650) 522-7700. The department also recommends residents who won't be home for deliveries use package lockers offered by Amazon, UPS, and USPS.