A man who allegedly tried to steal a laptop and camera from another man outside Palo Alto's Winter Lodge on Friday afternoon was quickly arrested by police.
A witness reported the attempted robbery, which took place in the parking of the ice skating rink at 3009 Middlefield Road, shortly before 1 p.m., according to a police press release. Emergency dispatchers also received a call from the victim moments later.
Officers located the suspect in the 2800 block of Middlefield Road and arrested him on suspicion of attempted robbery, according to police. He was a 34-year-old man from Palo Alto, police said.
A preliminary police investigation found that the suspect had been watching the victim, a man in his 20s, as he placed a camera and laptop into his backpack. The suspect allegedly tried to take the items, but the victim shoved the older man away. The suspect ran away from the parking lot and was seen heading north on Middlefield Road.
The victim didn't report any physical injuries, police said.
Investigators are looking into whether the 34-year-old man is tied to other robberies. As of Friday evening, there was no evidence that linked him to other crimes, according to police.
Anyone with information about the attempted robbery is asked to call the department's 24-hour dispatch center at 650-329-2413. Anonymous tips can be emailed to paloalto@tipnow.org or sent by text message or voicemail to 650-383-8984.
Editor's note: Palo Alto Online's policy is to withhold the names of those arrested for most crimes until the district attorney has determined there is sufficient evidence to file charges in the case. Read our guidelines.
Comments
Registered user
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jan 28, 2023 at 7:56 am
Registered user
on Jan 28, 2023 at 7:56 am
This is a private parking lot for tennis and ice skating. I can't help wondering whether there was a previous connection between the two.
Pleased he was caught.
Registered user
Crescent Park
on Jan 28, 2023 at 3:30 pm
Registered user
on Jan 28, 2023 at 3:30 pm
@ Bystander " I can't help wondering whether there was a previous connection between the two."
Take a look at the police press release, and it will be clear you speculation is wrong, and it was just a local thug preying on an innocent victim.
Web Link
Registered user
another community
on Jan 29, 2023 at 9:19 am
Registered user
on Jan 29, 2023 at 9:19 am
It would help if we knew the perp's name, address, and a photo so we can be on the lookout in the future.
Registered user
Crescent Park
on Jan 29, 2023 at 4:52 pm
Registered user
on Jan 29, 2023 at 4:52 pm
@myfeelz - Reporters believe their job is to hide information from the public so it isn't misused instead of just reporting information. PAPD has the info you want:
Web Link