ATHERTON – An arrest warrant has been issued for an exchange student from China who is accused of breaking into Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry’s home in San Mateo County in October, prosecutors said.
In a statement to CBS News Bay Area, District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe’s office said 18-year-old Sheng Gao was scheduled to appear in Redwood City misdemeanor court on Thursday for his arraignment. Gao failed to appear in court and a judge issued a bench warrant for his arrest, with bail on the warrant set at $500.
According to prosecutors, Gao took a bus from his Cupertino home on Oct. 15 to Atherton to search for the home of the four-time NBA champion to allegedly get an autograph.
When he arrived in the wealthy Peninsula enclave, Gao spoke to a woman who pointed out Curry’s residence. Around 5:50 p.m., prosecutors said he walked up to the gate, pushed the “call” and “ring” buttons on the intercom and the gate opened.
Gao then walked onto the property and through the home’s unlocked front door, according to the DA’s office. The suspect was soon confronted by a nanny who demanded to know what he was doing at the home, he responded that he wanted Curry’s “signature.”
According to the Palo Alto Daily Post, who first reported about the break-in, the nanny saw Gao on a surveillance camera and confronted him when he entered the living room.
The man left the property and the nanny called police. He was later detained by authorities after he was spotted walking on El Camino Real, prosecutors said. Gao then received a citation in which he promised to appear in court on Dec. 7.
At the time of the incident, Steph and his wife Ayesha Curry were not at home but the couple’s children were, according to prosecutors. No items were taken from the home.
