San Mateo: Police Nab Pair In Cigar Lighter Burglary

[JohnS]

San Mateo: Police Nab Pair In Cigar Lighter Burglary

By Bay City News Service - Nov 5, 2025

The San Mateo Police Department seized lock-picking tools during the search of Dustin Becker's property in Half Moon Bay, Calif., in November 2025. Becker, with his female partner, Kiersten Kinser, allegedly stole about $10,000 worth of high-end cigar lighters at a store in the 2400 block of S. El Camino Real in San Mateo, Calif., on Oct. 20, 2025. (San Mateo Police Department via Bay City News) San Mateo Police Department via Bay City News

A man and woman were arrested this week after allegedly stealing about $10,000 worth of high-end cigar lighters from a San Mateo business, police said.

Officers responded Oct. 21 to a burglary report at a store in the 2400 block of South El Camino Real.

Investigators said that on Oct. 20, Kiersten Kinser, 33, of San Francisco, distracted an employee while Dustin Becker, 40, of El Granada, took the items and left the store.

Police identified both suspects and obtained arrest warrants for second-degree burglary and conspiracy.

On Tuesday, Kinser and Becker were detained during a traffic stop in Half Moon Bay and taken into custody. During Becker's arrest, officers reportedly found lock-picking tools, police said.

Both suspects were booked into San Mateo County Jail.

Source: https://www.sfgate.com/news/bayarea/article/san-mateo-police-nab-pair-in-cigar-lighter-21143002.php

[JohnS]

San Mateo Police Arrest Duo Suspected of $10,000 Cigar Lighter Heist on S. El Camino Real

By Eric Tanaka - Published on November 06, 2025

Source: San Mateo Police Department

In a recent disclosure by the San Mateo Police Department, two individuals were detained following a calculated theft at a local business on S. El Camino Real. The incident, which unfolded back on October 20, saw Kiersten Kinser, 33, and Dustin Becker, 40, orchestrating a heist that stripped the establishment of specialty cigar lighters estimated to be worth around $10,000. According to the San Mateo Police Department, Kinser allegedly engaged a store employee in conversation, providing an opportunity for Becker to conceal and walk away with the valuable items.

The culmination of the investigation provided sufficient probable cause to arrest both Kinser and Becker on charges of second-degree burglary and conspiracy to commit a crime. The authorities subsequently took them into custody on Tuesday during a traffic stop by another local law enforcement agency in Half Moon Bay. They were already on the radar for the October 20th burglary. Following their arrest, Becker was found to have lock-picking tools, adding a charge of having burglary tools to his list of offenses. Both were booked into the San Mateo County Jail, according to the San Mateo Police Department.

Kinser and Becker now face serious legal repercussions. Kinser is charged with PC 460 (B) for second-degree burglary and PC 182 (A) (1) for conspiracy to commit a crime, while Becker confronts the same charges and an additional PC 466 count for possession of burglary tools. 

Source: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/san-mateo-police-arrest-duo-suspected-of-10-000-cigar-lighter-heist-on-s-el-camino-real/

[TheFez]

I just want to know what lighters they were😅

[JohnS]

I know. I mean 'high-end' could mean anything nowadays, right?

[BrightonCorgi]

They could've bought a case of fake Duponts for less than what their court case is going to cost and would've avoided prison. The work and look just the same to 99% of people.