Teen Arrested In Robbery At Palo Alto Caltrain Station: Police

PALO ALTO, CA -- A 17-year-old boy was arrested early Thursday morning for allegedly hitting a man, then snatching the man's cellphone out of his hand at the Palo Alto Caltrain station, according to police.

Police said they responded just before 1 a.m. to a report of the alleged strong-arm robbery at the station at 95 University Ave., and detained the teenager without incident at 1:02 a.m. on University near High Street.

The victim, who is in his 60s, told police that he had been sitting on a bench on the southbound platform when he noticed the teen standing hear him. The boy then approached the man, hit him in the face with an object that may have been a shoe, and grabbed the cellphone before running away.

The man told police he tried to chase the boy, but lost him. He complained of pain to his face but did not require medical attention, police said.

Police found the man's cellphone in some bushes in the 400 block of Alma Street, where they believe the teen dumped it after seeing officers looking for him.

The teen, who is from East Palo Alto, was booked into the Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of robbery, a felony.

Anyone with information about the alleged robbery has been asked to call the Palo Alto police at 650-329-2413. Those wishing to remain anonymous can email paloalto@tipnow.org or leave text messages or voicemails at 650-383-8984.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

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