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Uploaded: Tuesday, October 2, 2012, 2:19 PM
Couple held at gunpoint during home invasion
Man punched during robbery in Mountain View; no one seriously injured
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by Nick Veronin
Mountain View Voice Staff
A couple was held at gunpoint inside their home in the 700 block of Sylvan Avenue in Mountain View early Monday, Oct. 1, while five assailants ransacked their residence -- stealing cash and a handgun before leaving, according to police.
The man was punched in the face during the robbery, but early reports indicate neither he nor his wife were injured during the ordeal.
At about 5:45 a.m., the male victim was walking to his car in a carport when he was accosted by five people, said Sgt. Sean Thompson, public information officer for the Mountain View Police Department, in a press release. All of them were wearing dark clothing with hoods and with their faces mostly covered. One of the robbers had a handgun, Thompson stated.
The man was punched while standing in the carport and then forced to walk back inside his home with the robbers in tow, according to Thompson. His wife was still asleep.
Once they were inside, the man and his wife were told to lie on the floor, while the robbers rifled through the home, Thompson said. The suspects stole an undisclosed amount of money and a handgun that was kept in a briefcase before fleeing. Shortly after they had gone, the couple called 911.
Detectives do not believe the robbery was random, according to Thompson. Anyone who may have seen something suspicious is encouraged to call the police department at 650-903-6395. All callers may remain anonymous.Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.
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Posted by CCW, a resident of another community, on Oct 2, 2012 at 4:48 pm California needs CCW (concealed carry weapon) permits. Had that gentleman or his wife had a carry weapon ready to go and loaded, either on them or easily accessible they may have had a fighting chance. All it takes is one individual to shoot 5 assailants, to deter future assailants.
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Posted by Resident, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Oct 2, 2012 at 4:58 pm Reading this, the above post and then the other story about the shooting on highway 101 makes me shudder.
I can see more wild west shootouts unless we can get the guns off the streets.
All weapons are dangerous, and even a police gun can get into the hands of a toddler who can kill himself, just like the one in Morgan Hill recently.
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Posted by Stuart, a resident of Mountain View, on Oct 2, 2012 at 5:05 pm [Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
We need better reporting! I don't see any reason for the general population to get scared about this deal, until I hear more details.
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Posted by Jan H., a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Oct 3, 2012 at 7:05 pm
Jan H. is a member (registered user) of Palo Alto Online That has got to be one of the most terrifying things to happen to someone in their own home! I don't think I could have handled it well at all. How on earth can someone prepare for or defend themselves from something like that.
Everyone, please give suggestions?
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Posted by ChrisC, a resident of the College Terrace neighborhood, on Oct 5, 2012 at 2:13 pm
ChrisC is a member (registered user) of Palo Alto Online I am saddened to be in agreement with Resident: we are heading back into the Wild West/Frontier days. Which state is it that voted to allow people to carry guns into bars? Somewhere in the South. And people can bring weapons into Federal parks now. I can definitely see everybody "packing" and practicing their quick draw. It might take a while, but it's coming. As in days of yore, the wealthy will be able to afford private security forces, gated communities, elaborate in-home security systems, while the rest of us are left to self-defense.
Is anybody in Palo Alto connecting the dots between years of shopping on the Internet tax-free and the demise of independent retailers in Palo Alto and the reduction in the sales tax base resulting in cuts to fire and police services? I think not.
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Posted by Jan H., a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Oct 5, 2012 at 8:29 pm
Jan H. is a member (registered user) of Palo Alto Online ChrisC, you have a very viable argument, although I think people will be in denial about it. It's such an awful thought that folks will not want to believe it is true.
Unfortunately, when people feel threatened, and feel that the police are ineffectual, they tend to take things into their own hands, I.e., frontier justice.
The Wild West is fun to watch in the movies, not so much in real life!
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