Crime & Safety
House Cleaner Interrupts Palo Alto Burglary
Police arrested the man, a Palo Alto resident, who found an unobtrusive way to get into the home.
A housekeeper went to a Palo Alto home Monday afternoon and found a man inside rummaging through belongings. The woman called the homeowner, who was just blocks away—he rushed home to find the suspect trying to steal the homeowner's car, which was parked in the driveway.
The homeowner called 9-1-1. When police arrived less than a minute later, the suspect was still in the car. After initially refusing to cooperate with officers, a police dog brought to the scene convinced the suspect to surrender. No one was injured.
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The drama unfolded in the 1800 block of Channing Avenue. According to the subsequent police investigation, the suspect had used a hide-a-key that he found outside the home to get inside. Police learned that the suspect had burglarized the same home the day before, stealing jewelry and keys. The stolen property has been returned to the homeowner.
Axel Morales, 20, of Palo Alto, was arrested and booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail on felony and misdemeanor charges of residential burglary and attempted vehicle theft.
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Palo Alto Police Detectives are investigating whether Morales is responsible for other burglaries. If you have information about this case or any burglaries, call the 24-hour dispatch center at 650-329-2413. You may also email tips to paloalto@tipnow.org or send a text message to 650-383-8984.
In a statement, PAPD Officer Marco Estrada said, “With regards to hide-a-keys, burglars often will search common hiding spots in an effort to locate them. Residents should consider leaving a spare key with a trusted neighbor in the event they accidentally get locked out of their home.”
For more crime prevention tips, check the Palo Alto Police Department’s website.
Also on Palo Alto Patch:
Three Men Arrested After Interrupted Burglary in Palo Alto
Palo Alto Police Nab Alleged Bike Thieves
Man Uses Bike to Chase Suspected Burglar
Palo Alto Police Nab Two Suspects with 49 Stolen Computers
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