Menlo Park neighborhood on edge as home burglaries take disturbing turn

Residents of Sharon Heights report more break-ins even when families are home, prompting calls for increased patrols and new technologies to curb the crimes.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 12:34am

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Residents of the upscale Sharon Heights neighborhood in Menlo Park, California, say a recent surge in home burglaries has become increasingly concerning, with some break-ins occurring even when families are present inside. The burglars have been using devices to quickly shatter windows and steal valuable items like jewelry and designer handbags within minutes. Local officials are now working to implement new measures, including potentially using drones and license plate readers, to help address the problem.

Why it matters

The rise in home invasions in the typically quiet Sharon Heights area has left residents feeling unsafe in their own neighborhoods. The burglaries have escalated from occurring when homes are empty to now sometimes happening when families are present, raising fears that an encounter could turn violent. Addressing the issue is a top priority for local officials and the community.

The details

According to residents, the burglars have been entering homes, often through side windows, during dinnertime and stealing valuables within just a few minutes. One particularly disturbing incident involved a teenage girl encountering a masked intruder in her home's hallway. While the burglar left without incident, residents worry that a confrontation could eventually lead to someone getting hurt as they try to protect themselves. Local officials say the burglaries initially spiked at the start of the pandemic, with cases occasionally dropping before rising again, making it an ongoing challenge.

  • In April 2020, 10 burglaries were reported across Menlo Park.
  • In May 2020, the number of burglaries jumped to 25 across the city.
  • In June 2020, there were 18 burglaries reported, followed by 28 in July and 33 in August.
  • After a period of lower numbers, burglaries peaked again in January 2024 with 36 reported across Menlo Park.

The players

Brian Kissel

A Sharon Heights resident who says the community is demanding action to address the rise in home burglaries.

Maya Sewald

A 40-year resident of Sharon Heights who recounted a disturbing incident where a teenage girl encountered a masked burglar in her home.

Ray Mueller

The San Mateo County District 3 supervisor for Menlo Park who is collaborating with city officials and law enforcement to implement new technologies, such as drones and license plate readers, to help curb the burglaries.

Nicole Acker

A spokesperson for the Menlo Park Police Department who says the department is focused on burglary-suppression operations and working with other agencies on regional cases.

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What they’re saying

“Historically, a lot of the break-ins have been when people have been away. ... Now that there have been some break-ins where people have been at home, there's an increased concern.”

— Brian Kissel, Sharon Heights resident

“They looked at each other, and apparently he left. But you know, there will come a point when somebody's going to grab something to protect themselves. That is really scary.”

— Maya Sewald, 40-year Sharon Heights resident

“That can be the first response to a burglary, it can get there much faster than a car pursuit. We need residents in Menlo Park to come out and say that they would support the use of those drones as well.”

— Ray Mueller, San Mateo County District 3 supervisor for Menlo Park

What’s next

Another town hall meeting is expected to happen in the next several weeks, where officials and residents will further discuss potential solutions to address the burglary problem in Sharon Heights.

The takeaway

The rise in home invasions in the typically quiet Sharon Heights neighborhood has left residents feeling unsafe, prompting local officials to explore a range of new technologies and measures to help curb the burglaries and restore a sense of security in the community.