Man Arrested After Armed Robbery In San Mateo Neighborhood
SAN MATEO (CBS SF) -- Police arrested a man who robbed a 16-year-old girl at gunpoint in the backyard of her family's home in San Mateo on Wednesday, police said.
At about 5:40 p.m. Wednesday, officers responded to a residence in the 3200 block of Verdun Avenue, near West Hillsdale Boulevard, on a report of an armed robbery.
The teenage victim told officers that she was at her dining room table when she saw a man outside, just a few feet away, pointing a gun at her, according to police.
The victim said the suspect demanded money from her and pointed what appeared to be a black handgun directly at her, police said.
The girl screamed, causing her father to come downstairs and call 911, according to police.
The victim gave the suspect a small amount of cash and fled from the backyard prior to the arrival of police. The victim was not injured, police said.
About 20 officers flooded the area and set up a perimeter to search for the suspect. Officers called nearby residents and warned them to stay inside while officers were searching the neighborhood.
Within about 20 minutes, police detained San Mateo resident 22-year-old Matthew Nguyen about a block from the residence, police said.
Nguyen was wearing clothing that matched the suspect description and police said he had a realistic-looking Airsoft pistol with him.
He also had additional evidence in his possession that linked him to the crime, police said.
Nguyen was arrested on suspicion of armed robbery and was taken into custody without further incident, according to police.
Police said the incident appears to be isolated and no other suspects are outstanding.
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