Two masked suspects who broke into a home on the 300 block of West Santa Inez Avenue in Hillsborough on Saturday, July 18, remain at large, the Hillsborough Police Department confirmed.
The break-in was interrupted by a neighbor who spotted an SUV idling in front of the home around 9:35 p.m. and called police after watching two masked individuals climb over a gate onto the property. Officers arrived and detained the SUV's driver on scene, but the two who entered the property fled before police could reach them.
The targeted home was unoccupied at the time. No one was injured.
Multi-agency search came up empty
Multiple San Mateo County law enforcement agencies responded to assist Hillsborough police, establishing a perimeter around the neighborhood and deploying drones and K9 teams to sweep the area. The search did not locate the suspects.
Investigators found a rear window of the home had been smashed. On the 400 block of Roblar Avenue, they recovered a backpack containing burglary tools, including power tools, that police say the suspects left behind during their escape.
The extent of losses from the home has not been determined.
Driver arrested, booked into county jail
The driver, identified by police only as a woman and a Chilean national, was arrested on suspicion of residential burglary, conspiracy and possession of stolen property. The SUV she was driving had stolen license plates. She was booked into San Mateo County Jail. Her name has not been publicly released, and no court date has been announced.
Police ask neighbors to check cameras
The Hillsborough Police Department asked residents on West Santa Inez Avenue and Roblar Avenue to review home surveillance footage from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, and share anything relevant with investigators.
Anyone with information can contact Inspector Chung at [email protected] or call the department at (650) 375-7470.
Not the first this year
The July 18 incident adds to a string of residential burglaries in Hillsborough in 2026. Through May, the department had investigated five residential burglaries, according to HPD crime statistics. A January 31 burglary on the 800 block of Darrell Road drew a similar multi-agency response, with Burlingame PD providing K9 support and South San Francisco PD deploying a drone.
Police Chief Nelson Corteway has encouraged residents to take advantage of the department's free Home Security Check Program, which offers home security evaluations. Information is available at hillsborough.net/393/Home-Security-Check-Program.
The investigation into the July 18 burglary remains open.
