San Bruno man arrested in Portola Valley thefts San Bruno man arrested in Portola Valley thefts (May 25, 2005)

By David Boyce

Almanac Staff Writer

Credit cards, a computer and an air compressor, all belonging to Portola Valley residents, are among the items found during a police search of a San Bruno residence in connection with a series of thefts reported in Portola Valley during April and May.

The targets of the nighttime thefts were mainly unlocked vehicles sitting in driveways and garages and from which were stolen cash, wallets, purses, laptop computers and other items.

On May 13, officers from the Colma Police Department arrested and jailed San Bruno resident Christopher Kettler, 31, on various charges, including possession of stolen property, said Lt. Ken Jones of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.

On Friday, May 20, after examining the stolen property, Sheriff's detectives re-arrested Mr. Kettler on additional charges, including fraudulent use of credit cards, said Lt. Jones, who added that further charges are likely.

Mr. Kettler has not yet entered a plea but is scheduled for a court appearance Monday, May 23, said Lt. Jones.

Police are looking for another San Bruno resident suspected of partnering with Mr. Kettler.

In early May, with no suspects in custody, the Sheriff's Office had beefed up night patrols in Portola Valley and Woodside.

In the late evening hours of May 2, the night patrol stopped Coit Frandsen on his way into Portola Valley, but he fled west on Alpine Road, crashed his vehicle near Westridge Drive and escaped on foot. He has not been found, but is no longer considered a suspect in the thefts, said Lt. Jones.

With no further thefts since the May 13 arrest, the extra patrols have been called off, said Lt. Jones. "This should solve it," he said. "We're just glad to be back to normal patrols."

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