Parolee with Tear Gas Arrested for Burglary

A parolee carrying tear gas was arrested in Palo Alto early Saturday morning and charged with burglary, prowling and other felonies and misdemeanors. Detectives interviewed him about an attack on a woman in her own home on Nov. 29, in which a man broke-in and attacked her with the intention of raping her. She successfully fought him off. Police don’t believe that he is responsible for that crime.

Detective Sergeant Brian Philip of the police department credits an alert resident for calling 9-1-1. According to Philip, the man called police at 1:33 Saturday morning to report that a man was in his rear yard in the 300 block of Emerson Street. The resident watched as he went to the front of the home and walked southbound on Emerson.

With the help of a police dog from Los Altos, the suspect was tracked to the rear yard of a fourplex where he was taken into custody. Police say he broke into the basement of the fourplex and rummaged through property, but nothing was stolen.

The suspect is identified as Jose Aldan Castro, 49, a parolee from Los Angeles County. According to Philip, “Castro had in his possession the following items, none of which were in his name: two Social Security cards, a certificate of title for a vehicle, and a personal check made out to a third party. Officers were unable to locate the owners of these items and are continuing to investigate to see if they are stolen.”

Last Thursday, Police Lt. Zach Perron emphasized to Patch the importance of residents calling 9-1-1 if they see anything suspicious, “We have the best chance to prevent and solve crimes by working as a team with the community, and using them as our eyes and ears whenever possible.”

If you have information about this case call the 24-hour dispatch center at 650-329-2413. If you see suspicious behavior, call 9-1-1. Anonymous tips can be emailed to paloalto@tipnow.org or sent via text message or voice mail to 650-383-8984.

Also on Palo Alto Patch

Shoe Theft Pinches Small Palo Alto Business
Police Respond to Violent Crime Wave

Gunman Robs Downtown Walgreens
Woman Beaten by Purse Snatcher Thug
Dozens of Registered Sex Offenders in Palo Alto
Police Praise Brave Woman Who Fought Attacker
Woman Attacked in Her Own Home

Palo Alto Patch Business Directory

Don't miss important news Subscribe to our daily newsletter.
| Like us on Facebook |Blog for us | Follow us on Twitter|