San Mateo County deputies capture suspect after brief search involving K-9 units and dronev
San Mateo County, California – A routine patrol turned tense Wednesday afternoon when San Mateo County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to pull over a vehicle for a traffic violation along Highway 92.
What began as a standard stop quickly escalated when the driver refused to comply, accelerating away and setting off a brief but urgent search effort in the surrounding area.
The pursuit led deputies toward the grounds of Skylawn Cemetery, where the fleeing vehicle was last seen. With the situation unfolding rapidly, law enforcement established a perimeter and brought in additional resources, including K-9 teams and a drone unit, to track the suspect’s movements.
The coordinated response narrowed the search area, and deputies soon located the driver on foot nearby.
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The man, later identified as 43-year-old Gabriel A. Montalvo of Milpitas, was taken into custody without resistance. Deputies determined he was under the influence and carrying a significant amount of suspected cocaine. During the investigation, authorities also discovered he was in possession of an EBT card belonging to another individual.
Meanwhile, the abandoned vehicle was recovered in the same vicinity. A further search of the area led K-9 units to a loaded firearm hidden in nearby bushes. Authorities confirmed the weapon had been reported stolen. Video evidence later revealed that Montalvo had discarded the gun while attempting to evade capture.
Investigators noted that Montalvo, a convicted felon, is legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. Records also showed he had two outstanding felony warrants at the time of the incident.
A second individual, identified as 48-year-old Ana L. Afungia of East Palo Alto, was also located on foot and taken into custody without incident. Officials stated there were no injuries and no property damage reported during the event.
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Both individuals were booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility. Montalvo faces a wide range of charges, including firearm and narcotics offenses, reckless driving, and evading law enforcement, along with his outstanding warrants. Afungia faces charges related to permitting a firearm in a vehicle and resisting officers.
