Suspicious activity report in San Mateo ends with two women booked into county jail
San Mateo, California – A routine traffic stop in San Mateo quickly grew into a broader investigation Thursday afternoon, ending with two women in custody on multiple charges and outstanding warrants.
What began with a report of suspected drug use inside a parked SUV led officers to probation issues, alleged identity theft, drug paraphernalia and false identifying information, according to the San Mateo Police Department.
Police said officers were called to the 500 block of East Santa Inez Avenue at about 4:58 p.m. on October 22 after someone reported people smoking a suspected narcotic substance inside a silver Infiniti SUV.
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When officers arrived, they found a vehicle matching that description double-parked with its hazard lights on and four people inside. Police also noticed the vehicle had expired registration and initiated a traffic stop.
During the investigation, officers found an open container of alcohol in the vehicle and contacted front-seat passenger Ramona Johnson, a 48-year-old San Mateo resident. Police said Johnson had the odor of an alcoholic beverage on her breath.
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Officers then learned Johnson was on active probation and had several outstanding arrest warrants. A probation search of her bag reportedly uncovered a driver’s license belonging to someone who was not connected to the incident.
Police also said officers saw a glass smoking pipe with burnt residue in plain view inside the front passenger-side door compartment.
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Attention later turned to rear-seat passenger Nicole Green, a 55-year-old San Mateo resident. According to police, Green initially provided false identifying information. After officers confirmed her identity, they discovered she also had multiple outstanding warrants.
Johnson was arrested on suspicion of identity theft under California Penal Code 530.5(a), violating probation under Penal Code 1203.2(a), and possession of unlawful drug paraphernalia under Health and Safety Code 11364(a), along with the outstanding warrants.
Green was arrested under Penal Code 148.9(a) for allegedly providing false information to a peace officer, as well as on multiple outstanding warrants.
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Both women were transported to the San Mateo County Jail and booked on their respective charges and warrants.
The San Mateo Police Department is asking residents to continue reporting suspicious behavior, vehicles or other activity. The department reiterated its public safety message: “See Something, Say Something.”
