2 Peninsula Coin Store Burglars Arrested, 2 On The Lam: Police

PALO ALTO, CA – Two suspects were caught and two remained at large in a recent burglary at a Palo Alto coin shop, police said. Dispatchers were alerted at 2:36 a.m. Saturday, July 21 of a silent alarm at The Coin Broker, 855 El Camino Real in the Town and Country Shopping Center, police Capt. Zach Perron said in a news release.

As officers arrived on scene they reportedly saw several males standing in front of the business.

"They ran away as soon as they saw officers," Perron said.

Officers in their patrol vehicles were able to "quickly block two suspects from escaping," the captain said.

Los Angeles resident Jamal Deshawn Willie, 25, and Cypress resident Jamel Kenneth Walker, 20, were taken into custody without incident, Perron said.

At the same time, an officer spotted a black Kia Soul leaving the parking lot but was unable to stop the speeding car, Perron said.

Officers saw coins being tossed out of the moving car. Hundreds of coins were later recovered along Embarcadero Road toward Highway 101.

The burglary investigation revealed four male suspects wearing dark-colored clothing, including hooded sweatshirts with the hoods up and gloves, entered the business by prying open the front door.

The coin shop was ransacked, Perron said.

Walker and Willie were booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail on suspicion of commercial burglary and conspiracy, both felonies.

Walker was also arrested for committing a felony while out on bail for another felony, Perron said.

"The only available description on the two outstanding suspects is that they are both adult males," Perron said. "One is black and the other’s race is unknown. Detectives are actively working to identify and apprehend the outstanding suspects."

Anyone with information about the incident was asked to call PAPD's 24-hour dispatch center at 650-329-2413. Anonymous tips can be emailed to paloalto@tipnow.org or sent via text message or voicemail to 650-383-8984. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the department's mobile app, downloadable from the App Store or GooglePlay.