Palo Alto Police Issue Advisory Amid Occupied Home Burglary Surge

PALO ALTO, CA – Police have issued an advisory amid a spate of occupied home burglaries this month.

Occupied home burglaries are considered a rarity in this South Bay city but police have stepped up overnight patrols of residential Palo Alto neighborhoods after six such incidents or attempts during overnight hours have been reported since Oct. 12.

“These cases are extremely rare, so this is a very unusual and concerning crime trend,” the Palo Alto Police Department said in a statement.

“Fortunately, there have been no confrontations between suspects and residents, and there is no evidence that the suspects have entered occupied bedrooms.”

Two more Palo Alto residents have come forward to report attempts to breaking into their homes early on Sunday morning.

Window security rods prevented the suspect from entering both homes in the most recent incidents, which occurred in the 700 block of Channing Ave. and the 3300 block of South Court.

The previous reported incidents occurred in the 1100 block of Fulton St. (early Sunday morning), the 1100 block of Hamilton Ave on Oct. 22, the 700 block of Gailen Ave. and the 3800 block of Nathan Way (both on Oct. 12).

In the six cases reported so far, the most common way the burglar has entered the home is by removing a window screen and opening a window (by either prying it open, or by sliding it open if left unlocked).

In one case, no force was used to enter the home and police believe it is possible that the suspect located a house key hidden outside the residence and used that key to gain entry.

Another commonality between the cases was unlocked side yard gates; the burglar often was able to easily enter side yards and rear yards to search for their point of entry while unseen by any passersby on the street.

Police are offering the following recommendations:

• Lock side yard gates.
• Install motion-sensor lighting on all sides of your home’s exterior, or, leave your outside lights on overnight.
• Equip your home with surveillance cameras.
• Keep doors and windows locked overnight.
• Use window security bars to prevent windows from opening fully.
• Do not hide a spare house key outside your home; leave the key with a trusted neighbor instead.
• Install and use an alarm system.
• Install signs and/or stickers on the outside of your home indicating that it is protected by an alarm and/or security cameras.
• Those thinking about becoming a pet owner should be aware that dogs are great deterrents for home burglars. A barking dog in the middle of the night will wake up the neighborhood and generate witnesses that the burglar will want to avoid.

For many more crime prevention tips, visit our website at www.cityofpaloalto.org/StopCrime.

Despite increased patrols, police still depends on the eyes and ears of the public.

The PAPD is asking for the community’s help in promptly reporting suspicious activity.

In an emergency, dial 911. In all other cases city residents are asked to call the PAPD’s 24-hour dispatch center at 650–329–2413.

To submit an anonymous tip, go here: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org...

For additional safety tips and other safety recommendations, go here: www.cityofpaloalto.org/StopCri...