SMPD Arrests One Suspect After Vehicle Pursuit and Suspect Flight Into Pond
Photo: scene of arrest
Originally published as a San Mateo Police Department Facebook post –
“On Tuesday evening, San Mateo Police officers located a suspect associated with multiple robberies in a stolen vehicle. After a short pursuit, the officers arrested the subject who had retreated into a nearby pond in Foster City.
San Mateo, CA – On Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at 9:05 p.m., San Mateo Police Officers located a stolen vehicle in the parking lot of Bridgepointe Shopping Center located at 3000 Bridgepointe Parkway. As SMPD surveilled the vehicle, a suspect started to drive it out of the parking lot.
When officers attempted to make an arrest, the suspect sped from the scene. This led the officers on a pursuit. The suspect drove back and forth between the different parking lots at the Bridgepointe Shopping Center before ultimately entering Foster City. The suspect vehicle entered the Schooner Bay condominium complex at a high rate of speed and crashed into a tree. The suspect then exited the vehicle and fled on foot.
To avoid arrest, the suspect jumped into the complex’s waist deep pond. While partially submerged in the pond, the suspect threatened to stab and to shoot officers who attempted to enter the pond. The suspect also made repeated threats of suicide. Through investigation, SMPD learned the suspect had an outstanding felony warrant for multiple robberies in Alameda County as well as a parolee at large warrant for first degree robbery (212.5 PC). Crisis negotiators and crisis intervention trained officers negotiated with the suspect. Through the collaborative efforts of many Peninsula law enforcement agencies, the suspect walked to shore after a ninety-minute standoff. He was safely taken into custody and was later booked into San Mateo County Jail.
The San Mateo Police Department advocates for crisis intervention training (CIT) and our police officers undergo a 40-hour intensive program in addition to de-escalation training. Our hope is to always show individuals there are options and other paths available to assist them through their crisis. Through collaborative community partnerships and intensive training, CIT improves communication, identifies mental health resources for those in crisis, and ensures officer and community safety.
ARRESTED
Michael Robillard, a 43-year-old Sacramento resident
Charges: Possession of stolen vehicle (496d(a) PC), Possession of drug paraphernalia (11364 HS), and Resist a Peace Officer (148 (a)1 PC) ”
