Police Log Police Log (February 20, 2002)

Palo Alto police say a man and woman shopping at Tiffany's at Stanford Shopping Center last Wednesday evening stole a diamond ring worth more than $40,000.

While the woman was trying on the $42,800 ring, the man grabbed it off her finger and dashed out the door, the woman close on his heels. They made a clean getaway.

Palo Alto Police Agent Jim Coffman said that such "grab and runs" are not uncommon. One happened at Macy's at Stanford Shopping Center in December, and one occurred is another Palo Alto jewelry store last year.

The ring is described as a brilliant-cut, diamond solitaire in a platinum setting.

Coffman said the man is a black male in his 30s, 5 feet 8 inches tall and 150 pounds wearing a three-quarter-length brown coat. The woman is Hispanic, about 5 feet 4 inches tall and 150 pounds, with a heavy build, wearing black. -- Don Kazak

The East Palo Alto Police Department has released composite sketches of the two suspects in the attempted murder of teenager Raul Cervantes.

The suspects doused Cervantes, 18, with a flammable liquid and then ignited it two weeks ago at the victim's East Palo Alto home. Cervantes was able to extinguish the flames himself, but still received second- and third-degree burns on his hands and legs.

The first suspect was described to police by Cervantes as a 20 to 22-year-old Hispanic male, 5 feet 9 inches tall, medium build, mild complexion, with long dark slicked-back hair and a goatee.

The second suspect is an 18- to 20-year-old Hispanic male, 5 feet 6 inches tall, medium build, light complexion, with dark curly hair and a faint mustache and chin hair.

It is speculated that Cervantes, a bright student at an experimental East Palo Alto School, who was recently admitted to his first choice of college, was targeted by jealous peers.

Flyers depicting the suspects are being distributed in East Palo Alto and the surrounding communities. Copies of the composite sketches are available at the East Palo Alto Police Department Regional Investigative Bureau offices at 219 Demeter St.

Anyone having addition information about the case is encouraged to call Detective Rich Maher at (650) 599-7423, Detective Michelle Parks at (650) 599-748, or the Anonymous Witness Line at (800) 547-2700. - Daniel Moreau