MENLO PARK — San Mateo County Sheriff’s deputies arrested two men during a traffic stop Friday morning in Menlo Park who were reportedly in possession of an explosive device, as well as stolen guns and tools from another burglary, according to officials.

Deputies stopped the two men after noticing a “suspicious vehicle” traveling northbound on Interstate 280 onto Sand Hill Road, the Sheriff’s Office said. During the stop, deputies observed gloves, flashlights, face masks, and other items commonly used in burglaries inside the vehicle.

Jose E. Matute Vaquedano, 25, was allegedly driving without a license, with Mauricio Peralta Marin, 27, in the passenger seat, authorities reported. Upon searching the vehicle, deputies found Marin in possession of an illegal explosive device and two stolen rifles registered to a Santa Cruz County resident. These rifles were reported missing during a residential burglary the previous night.

Vaquedano, who was on probation for robbery, is prohibited from possessing firearms, officials noted. Deputies also discovered additional stolen property, including several tools believed to be stolen, inside the vehicle.

Both men were arrested and booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility. They face multiple charges, including possession of a firearm in a vehicle, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of stolen property, conspiracy to commit a crime, possession of burglary tools, possession of an explosive device, and driving without a license.

Sheriff Ken Binder spoke publicly about the crime for the first time since recently taking office, stating, “Every gun taken off of the street is a potential life saved.”

Binder replaces former Sheriff Christina Corpus, who was recently ousted by county supervisors amid allegations of misconduct and abuse of power. Prior to his current role, Binder served as interim police chief of Gilroy and briefly as acting sheriff in Santa Clara County following the resignation of former Sheriff Laurie Smith amid a corruption scandal involving concealed carry weapons permits.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/11/15/menlo-park-authorities-arrest-two-men-recover-explosive-device-guns-and-tools/