2 Attempted Street Robberies Reported In Palo Alto

PALO ALTO, CA — Palo Alto police are investigating reports from two pedestrians who said a man wearing a dark cloth over his face attempted to rob them Saturday night. Police said in a news release Monday that the first incident was reported at 11:40 p.m. by a man in his 50s who said the suspect approached him in the 600 block of Newell Road near Dana Avenue— in the Crescent Park area — and told him to give up his wallet.

The second incident reportedly happened at 11:52 p.m. about a mile away from the first. The victim, also a man in his 50s, told police was walking in the area of Cowper Street and Addison Avenue when the suspect, acting as if he had a weapon in his waistband, came up behind him and demanded the victim's property, Palo Alto police Spokeswoman Janine De la Vega said.

"The victim ran away and saw the suspect get into a black SUV which traveled southbound on Cowper toward Embarcadero Road," De la Vega said.

Police are investigating whether the same suspect is responsible for both attempted robberies. Both victims described the suspect as a 5-foot-10-inch Hispanic man in his 20s with a medium build.

It also has not been determined whether the suspect did indeed have a weapon. Officers who responded to the first victim's home were told the suspect put his hand in his pocket and pulled out an unknown object.

"The victim reported he did not think it was a gun," De la Vega said. "The victim refused to give up his wallet and walked away. The suspect then left."

De la Vega said neither victim was injured, nor did they have any of their belongings taken.

"We have not received any recent reports of similar attempted street robberies," she said.

Anyone with information about the incidents Saturday is asked to call PAPD's 24-hour dispatch center at 650-329-2413. Tips can be anonymously submitted via email to paloalto@tipnow.org, by text message or voicemail to 650-383-8984, or through PAPD's free mobile app.

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