News Notes News Notes (December 10, 2003)

Heart attack victim in one-vehicle accident

The driver of a Dodge truck suffered a fatal heart attack in a one-vehicle accident while driving southbound on U.S. 101 near Willow Road in Menlo Park around 1:15 a.m. December 7, the California Highway Patrol reported.

The vehicle came to a stop after veering to the right, sideswiping a sound wall and colliding with a call box, without involving other vehicles and without apparent injury to the driver as a result of the collision, said CHP Officer Christian Oliver. The unidentified man was pronounced dead after being taken to Stanford Medical Center.

The CHP is asking witnesses to the accident to call Officer McCulloch at 369-6261.

Auto burglary suspect caught

A two-month surveillance operation by Menlo Park police detectives netted a suspect in a string of vehicle burglaries in school parking lots in West Menlo Park, including the lot at La Entrada Middle School, said police Sgt. Mike Amaral.

Cuong Van Phan, 27, of San Jose was arrested December 4 at about 6:30 p.m. on charges of auto burglary, grand theft and evading police. He is a suspect in some 80 similar crimes since January in various jurisdictions, police said.

Mr. Phan was seen entering two vehicles in a school parking lot and removing property, police said. He was caught as he attempted to escape in his vehicle, they said.

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