Robbers Demand Shoes From Palo Alto 12-Year-Old: Police

PALO ALTO, CA – Two teenage suspects are sought for allegedly robbing a 12-year-old boy of his shoes in Palo Alto. The incident happened at about 8:40 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20 in the 700 block of Ashby Drive, Palo Alto police Lt. James Reifschneider said in a news release Monday.

The victim called police at about 9 p.m. that same evening to report that he and two other boys were walking in the 1400 block of Dana Avenue and became concerned when two other teenage boys in a car pulled up alongside them.

The trio decided to run for help to a nearby home in the 700 block of Ashby Drive.

"Their knocks went unanswered and, when they turned around, they were confronted by the occupants of the vehicle," Reifschneider said.

One of the teens in the car asked the boys if they had anything of value in their pockets. After learning they did not, the teen allegedly demanded the victim's shoes, the lieutenant said. Once the victim gave the suspect his shoes, the duo drove off.

The victim and his friends ran to another house and were given a ride home by the resident, Reifschneider said.

Both suspects appeared to be Latino and looked to be between 16 and 18 years old, the victims told police. The first suspect stood about 5 feet 6 inches tall and wore a gray hooded sweatshirt and jeans. The second suspect stood about 5 feet 10 inches tall and wore a red hooded sweatshirt.

The suspects' car was described as dark-colored, older, small and boxy.

Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to call Palo Alto Police Department'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 free mobile app, downloadable from PAPD-AppStore or PAPD-GooglePlay.

Police say no similar crimes have been reported recently in Palo Alto.

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