Thanks to Flock cameras, which photograph license plates of nearby cars, Menlo Park police say they were able to arrest a suspect in several car burglaries and recover items that were stolen from those cars.
Officers recently investigated two vehicle burglaries at an apartment complex on Haven Avenue in Menlo Park. In the incidents, victims reported stolen property including designer sunglasses, electronic accessories, cash, and other personal items valued at more than $1,500.
During the investigation, officers identified a suspect vehicle believed to be involved in both crimes. Officers also determined the same vehicle may be connected to a separate auto burglary that occurred in July 2026.
Shortly after the reports were taken, a Flock alert identified the suspect vehicle in the area of Bell Street and University Avenue. Officers responded to the area, found the car and contacted the driver.
A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of stolen property connected to the reported burglaries, as well as suspected drugs, police said. Officers also determined the driver matched the suspect captured in surveillance footage from the auto burglary investigations.
The suspect, Salvador Ibarra-Pena, 46, of Sunnyvale, was booked into jail on charges related to the auto burglaries, possession of stolen property, drug-related offenses, and other violations, police said.
“This case highlights the proactive work of patrol officers and the value of technology in supporting criminal investigations,” Menlo Park police said in a statement. “A Flock Safety alert helped officers quickly locate a vehicle linked to multiple crimes, resulting in the recovery of stolen property, the arrest of a suspect, and the potential resolution of additional cases.”
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