On the afternoon of 08-11-2023, Menlo Park Police Department was dispatched to a report of a theft of items that had just occurred from LensCrafters in their city. The suspects and vehicle were described as last seen traveling N/B on El Camino Real towards Atherton. Moments later, Atherton Police dispatch received numerous 911 emergency calls concerning a major injury accident at the intersection of El Camino Real and Atherton Avenue with two subjects involved in the collision observed fleeing the scene. One of the involved vehicles matched the description provided by Menlo Park Police’s theft. Upon arrival, Atherton Officers located three vehicles in and about the intersection with major damage, one driver still trapped inside a vehicle. Menlo Park Fire responded to provide medical assistance. Officers from both Atherton and Menlo Park Police Departments worked in conjunction to investigate the collision and search the surrounding area for suspects that fled the scene prior to arrival, including the driver of one vehicle. Two subjects were transported from the scene to Stanford Hospital with major injuries.
A few hours later, an Atherton resident that lives near the scene of the collision contacted the police department to report two unknown subjects were in their backyard. The subjects were contacted by Atherton officers and confirmed as the driver and passenger that fled the scene of the collision. The driver was taken into custody by Atherton Police for Felony Hit and Run, Providing a False Name to Police and a Parole hold. Both the driver and passenger were also booked on theft related charges by the Menlo Park Police Department. Not only were the arrests made possible by police investigation, but also with the assistance of dashcam video provided by a witness at the scene. Additionally, thanks goes to the resident for their quick report of the suspicious persons on their property, all of which aided in the quick conclusion to the investigation.