Community Corner

Attempted Armed Robbery in Downtown Palo Alto Wednesday Night

This is the second violent criminal act in Palo Alto's main district in less than two days.

Three women became victims of an attempted armed robbery in downtown Palo Alto Wednesday, the police department reported Thursday morning.

The women—one in her 30s, one in her 40s and the other in her 50s—walked on the northbound side of west side 700 block of Emerson Street around 9:57 p.m. on May 15, when two men stepped out from an alcove of a business and pointed a small black handgun at the women and demanded their property, according to spokesman Detective Sergeant Brian Philip.

"The victims immediately separated and ran in different directions, each going to a nearby open business and asking for help to call police," Philip said. "The suspects did not pursue them, and instead were last seen running together southbound on Emerson Street towards Homer Avenue." 

No property was taken.

Despite arriving on the scene immediately, officers could not locate the suspects. The suspect who carried the handgun has been described as a Hispanic male in his twenties, between 5 feet 3 inches and 5 feet 6 inches tall, with medium build, and who wore dark clothing and a covering over his face.

The second suspect could only be described as a “tall” male with a blue bandanna covering his face, according to Perron.

Detectives continue to investigate the incident, including any possible connection to a strong-arm robbery that occurred Monday night on the 200 block of Hamilton Avenue.

The PAPD will increase officers patrols in the downtown area.

Anyone with information about this attempted robbery can contact our 24-hour dispatch center at 650-329-2413. Anonymous tips can be e-mailed to paloalto@tipnow.org or sent via text message or voice mail to 650-383-8984.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here