Man shot by Menlo Park police suspected in office burglaries

MENLO PARK, Calif. -- A Riverside County man shot and killed by police as he allegedly fled a burglary in Menlo Park on Tuesday afternoon is suspected in other recent burglaries in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, Menlo Park police said today.

A description of Jerry Matheny, 52, of Nuevo, had been distributed to office workers on Willow Place as a warning prior to Tuesday's shooting and one office employee notified police after spotting Matheny in the area, police said.

Officers responded at 12:33 p.m. and allegedly found Matheny in the process of committing a burglary.

Police said Matheny tried to run and one officer used a Taser stun gun to try and stop him. He then allegedly pulled out a gun, prompting police to shoot him.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators did not say whether Matheny aimed the gun at the officer. One police officer injured his knee during the pursuit and was taken to a hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening.

Office buildings along Willow Place, a cul-de-sac off of Willow Road between Middlefield Road and Waverly Street, house venture capital and startup firms.

Matheny's description had been distributed to employees there because of recent burglaries where the thief would go into the offices and take personal items from employees, according to police.

In addition to the gun he allegedly brandished at the officers, police said Matheny was found with a stolen wallet.

He is believed to have also been connected to other recent burglaries in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, police said.

The San Mateo County District Attorney's Office is investigating the officer-involved shooting, police said.