Crime & Safety

Palo Alto Teen Arrested on Home Burglary Charges

An 19-year-old Palo Alto man is under arrest, after police say he entered someone's "converted pool house" while they were home.

Palo Alto Police Officer Sean Downey said in a press release that Kevin Raul Valencia was arrested Wednesday night following a break-in at a home in the 400 block of Margarita Avenue. 

Police responded to the location after getting a 911 call around 10:30 p.m. from a resident "...who reported there was a prowler in their backyard who had momentarily entered an occupied converted pool house."

"Prior to the arrival of police, two of the homeowners contacted the suspect in their backyard," Downey said.  "They noted he appeared to be intoxicated. When police arrived, they detained the suspect without incident."

A police investigation revealed that a couple in their twenties had been in the pool house when the teen allegedly entered, according to Downey.

"They called out to see who was there, and heard a muffled reply before they heard the door close again," he said. 

Then, the residents who live in the main house spotted Valencia as well, and made contact with the man.

"He was cooperative and waited with them while police responded," Downey said.  "Officers believe the suspect entered the back yard via an unlocked side yard gate and then entered the converted pool house before discovering it was occupied."

Valencia was taken to the Santa Clara County main jail, and booked on one felony count of residential burglary, according to Downey.

Detectives are investigating to see if Valencia may be connected to any other residential burglaries or prowling incidents in Palo Alto or surrounding communities. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the 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.



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