San Mateo, CA — On February 28, 2025, at 1:01 a.m., the San Mateo Police Department responded to a call from a community member who witnessed two masked suspects breaking into the mailbox of an apartment complex on the 3000 block of La Selva Street. The suspects were seen loading stolen items into a U-Haul van and fleeing the scene.
Officers quickly located the U-Haul van and attempted to stop it. However, the driver failed to comply, leading officers on a pursuit northbound on Highway 101, ultimately reaching San Francisco. The van finally stopped on Florida Street, where suspects James Spearman, 38, of Antioch, and Erika Martinez, 42, of San Francisco, were detained as they attempted to flee on foot.
Upon searching the van, officers discovered numerous pieces of stolen property, including the mailbox taken from the apartment complex, mail, identification cards, social security cards, and property belonging to over 100 victims from across the Bay Area. Additionally, officers found stolen items from an auto burglary that occurred in San Mateo about 30 minutes before the mail theft.
Spearman and Martinez were arrested and booked into San Mateo County Jail on multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit a crime, theft with prior convictions, possession of stolen property, identity theft, and possession of a controlled substance.
Arrested:
James Robert Spearman, 38-year-old resident of Antioch
Charges:
Conspiracy to commit a crime
Theft with prior convictions
Possession of stolen property
Identity theft (10 or more victims)
Possession of a controlled substance
Erika Martinez, 42-year-old resident of San Francisco
Charges:
Conspiracy to commit a crime
Theft with prior convictions
Possession of stolen property
Identity theft (10 or more victims)
Possession of a controlled substance
Spearman, who stands 6 feet tall and weighs 180 lbs, has a long criminal history, with over 54 prior arrests spanning various charges, including gun and drug offenses, burglary, vehicle theft, and identity theft.
The investigation is ongoing as police continue to identify and contact victims. Authorities encourage the community to report suspicious activity and assist in investigations by providing details about crimes they witness.
