Charges dropped against one suspect

SAN MATEO COUNTY — Prosecutors have dropped charges against a man who was arrested with his wife last week in a home-invasion robbery targeting her caregiving client.

Antonio Mapapalangi, 33, of El Granada, remains in custody for an unrelated out-of-county warrant, authorities said. But he is no longer charged in the Aug. 14 robbery of a 75-year-old El Granada woman.

District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe confirmed that Mapapalangi was dropped from the case due to “insufficient evidence.” His family contended that Antonio Mapapalangi was not in California when the robbery allegedly happened.

According to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, the victim was woken up at her Coral Reef Avenue home by someone putting a pillow on her face, followed by someone binding her wrists. The intruders demanded money, and when the victim refused, they reportedly ransacked the home and then fled.

The victim apparently recognized one of the voices of her unseen attackers as her caregiver, 38-year-old Zoranna Mapapalangi, of Half Moon Bay, the Sheriff’s Office said. Both Zoranna and Antonio Mapapalangi were arrested Aug. 18 in connection with the robbery. Zoranna Mapapalangi remains a suspect in the case.

Anyone with information about the case can contact Detective Pat Carey at 650-259-2321 or pcarey@smcgov.org.