Man Selling Watch Robbed In San Mateo, 3 Arrested: Police

SAN MATEO, CA — A man who thought he was meeting with a potential buyer was robbed at gunpoint by three people who also attempted to steal his car, according to San Mateo police.

The victim called 911 from the Marina Plaza Shopping Center around 8 p.m. Tuesday.

The department said multiple officers rushed to the scene with lights and sirens and began gathering details to help locate the parties responsible. The victim told investigators he had arranged to sell a watch on Facebook Marketplace and was assaulted shortly after arriving at the meetup.

According to police the suspects pointed a gun at him, stole his items, and unsuccessfully attempted to steal his car. Officers said they saw two people matching the description get into a Jeep Renegade, which police stopped before it could flee the scene. A third suspect was seen running into a nearby apartment complex.

Police believed the third suspect could be armed and issued a "shelter in place" order while officers surrounded the apartment complex and deployed a drone. The drone discovered someone hiding in the area and led police to a woman concealed in a carport. Police said a search of the surrounding area turned up the stolen items and a loaded, unregistered Glock handgun with an extended magazine.

The three suspects, two men and a woman in their 20s, were booked into jail on suspicion of multiple felonies.