News digest News digest (September 15, 2004)

High school student harassed by stranger

Police are looking for an unidentified man in his 30s who allegedly sexually harassed a 15-year-old girl last week who was walking home from Palo Alto High School.

The girl was on foot eastbound on Kingsley Avenue near Webster Street when a man, described by police as either East Indian or Hispanic, asked her for directions to a gas station. After directing him toward El Camino Real, the man requested she push down on the hood of his car while he searched for a bubble in his right front tire. The girl later told police the man pulled up her skirt while checking the car and asked for her name. Running to a nearby house to call 911, she saw the car had paper plates reading Fremont Toyota in orange lettering. Lt. Jon Hernandez said Palo Alto police are on the lookout for the car, a beige four-door Toyota Camry.

Anyone with information should call 329-2413. --Alexandria Rocha
Fire breaks out in Palo Alto apartment

Residents of three apartments in Palo Alto have been displaced following a fire that started in a microwave Sunday evening, according to Palo Alto fire Capt. Patrick Morris.

Morris said the one-alarm fire started at 6 p.m.

Though the fire came under control only 15 minutes later, it managed to do significant damage to the three apartments in the 1704 Sand Hill Road building, Morris said.

According to Palo Alto police, one woman was taken to an area hospital for observation after being found in a smoke-filled room. A police spokesman said the woman did not suffer life-threatening injuries.

No other injuries were reported.
Day of Preparedness on Saturday

The American Red Cross, together with other community groups, is sponsoring a "Day of Preparedness " on Saturday, Sept. 18.

Emergency supplies will be on sale, and guest speakers Capt. Torin Fisher and Reserve Officer Ken Dueker of the Palo Alto Police Department staff will speak at 10:30 a.m., followed by the new Red Cross presentation "Together We Prepare." A special session for kids will be held from 1-2 p.m.

The event will occur at the Palo Alto Family YMCA, 3412 Ross Road.

For information, call the Red Cross at (650) 688 0415.

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