Burglar Steals Safe From Palo Alto Home: Police

PALO ALTO, CA – Police in Palo Alto asked for the public’s help today in identifying a man allegedly caught on video stealing a safe from a home Wednesday. Police say the residential burglary happened at about 5 p.m. in the 500 block of West Crescent Drive. About 90 minutes later, a woman in her 40s called police and said that when she returned home from running errands, she discovered that a man had entered her home through an unlocked sliding glass door in her backyard.

"The suspect stole a medium-sized safe that contained jewelry, and he also stole a suitcase," said Palo Alto police Agent Marianna Villaescusa.

"The victim provided police with surveillance camera images of the suspect, who had come to her front door at 4:55 p.m. while the home was unoccupied," Villaescusa said.

Villaescusa said officers spoke with a witness who saw a black man walking away from the scene after the burglary who was struggling to pull a heavy suitcase.

Police released surveillance photos and a description of the suspect Thursday.

According to police, the suspect appears to be a black man between 25 and 35 years old who was wearing a white tank top, black pants and black-and-white sneakers. The suspect has tattoos on his right upper arm and left wrist.

There is an active investigation underway of the burglary, which police say was the only one reported in the neighborhood during that time frame.

Police say the technique allegedly used in the burglary is common.

"... They first knock on the front door to see if anyone is home," Villaescusa said. "If they do not receive an answer and believe the house to be unoccupied, they will attempt to enter the backyard (often via an unlocked side yard gate) and then attempt to find a way to break in from the privacy of the backyard."

Police recommend always speaking to strangers from inside one's home without opening their door. Padlocks are also recommended for on side-yard gates, and all doors and windows should be closed and locked when not home.

"Suspicious behavior by strangers at your door should be reported immediately to the police," Villaescusa said.

Anyone with information about the incident is 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 PAPD's mobile app, downloadable at AppStore or GooglePlay.

Photos courtesy Palo Alto Police Department