Hayward man arrested after San Mateo retail robbery, getaway car crash

Police said that about 1:30 p.m. Saturday officers were dispatched to the Ross Dress for Less store, 640 Concar Dr., for a reported robbery.

SAN MATEO — A 53-year-old Hayward man suspected in a clothing store robbery Saturday was arrested after crashing his getaway car on Highway 92, police said.

Police said that about 1:30 p.m. Saturday officers were dispatched to the Ross Dress for Less store, 640 Concar Dr., for a reported robbery.

Management told officers a man, later identified as the Hayward resident, had stolen approximately $1,000 worth of merchandise, including clothing and shoes, and fled the store without paying after threatening staff with pepper spray, police said.

The suspect was seen getting into a Hyundai and fleeing the store parking lot at high speed.  Employees were able to get a license plate number of the suspect vehicle.

Police said while enroute to the store, officers were able to spot the Hyundai after it entered eastbound Highway 92, and saw that it was being driven recklessly.

Police tried to stop the vehicle but it kept going. It eventually collided with a guard rail and rolled over, causing the suspect to be ejected, police said.

The suspect was taken to a hospital for evaluation. No one else was injured.

All the stolen property, which totaled $1,072 in value, was recovered and a pepper spray cannister was found on the suspect, police said.

Because of issues with the license plates and vehicle identification number, police were trying to determine if the car was stolen.

After being evaluated, the suspect was booked at the San Mateo County Jail on suspicion of first degree robbery, being a felon in possession of pepper spray, evading police, license plate fraud and driving on a suspended license.