Sketch Released Of Suspect Who Robbed, Punched Teen: Palo Alto PD

PALO ALTO, CA — Police have released a sketch of the suspect who reportedly robbed and punched a 17-tear-old boy Saturday night in downtown Pal Alto. Four suspects are at large in the armed robbery that allegedly occurred at about 10:45 p.m. at the corner of Lytton Avenue and Kipling Street, said Palo Alto police Sgt. Brian Philip. The victim has since worked with a police artist to produce a sketch of the primary suspect.

The night of the incident, the teen told police he was walking eastbound on Lytton, talking on his cellphone, and had just reached the corner at Kipling when three Hispanic men in their 20s approached him and demanded his phone.

"When the victim refused, the primary suspect asked another to give him a gun," Philip said. "That suspect passed a small black semiautomatic handgun to the primary suspect, who pointed the gun at the victim and ordered him to get on the ground. The victim refused, so the primary suspect punched the victim in the head."

The victim — who suffered a small abrasion to head from the punch — complied. The suspects then went through his pockets, ultimately taking the teen's cellphone and cash, Philip said.

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A fourth person was waiting in a black four-door sedan and drove the trio away from the scene, heading southbound on Kipling toward University, the sergeant said.

The victim described the primary suspect as being 5 feet 10 inches tall with a thin build, wearing a black zippered hooded sweatshirt over a white shirt. The suspect had long hair and was wearing a red "Polo" brand cap, Philip said.

The victim described the second suspect — the one who handed over the weapon to the primary suspect — as being 5 feet 7 inches tall, wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans. He had a short "fade" haircut.

"The victim could not describe the third suspect any further," Philip said. "The victim did not see who was driving the suspect vehicle."

Detectives are actively investigating the incident; anyone with information 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 voice mail to 650-383-8984. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through PAPD's mobile app, downloadable at bit.ly/PAPD-AppStore or bit.ly/PAPD-GooglePlay.

Sketch via Palo Alto Police Department