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Uploaded: Tuesday, December 4, 2012, 4:27 PM
Second assault reported in downtown Palo Alto
Attempted robbery occurs 15 minutes after similar attack a few blocks away
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by Sue Dremann
Palo Alto Weekly Staff
A woman sleeping near a downtown Palo Alto sidewalk was beaten by a man during a robbery attempt early Sunday morning, Dec. 2, police said. The attack occurred shortly after another robbery attempt a few blocks away.
Police believe the two incidents are likely related. Palo Alto police dispatch received a 911 call from a woman at about 1:20 a.m. She reported that she had just been beaten by an unknown man. Officers arrived in the area about a minute later but were unable to locate the assailant.
The investigation revealed that the victim, a woman in her 70s, had been asleep in an alcove of a vacant business in the 300 block of University Avenue near Bryant Street. She awoke to find an unknown man reaching into the pockets of her outer clothing.
The man made a statement indicating that he was looking for money. The victim pushed him away, but the man punched her numerous times in the head, face and chest before fleeing the scene, police said.
The woman was not able to provide a direction of travel for the assailant. He did not steal anything from the victim, and he was not armed with a weapon, according to police.
The victim sustained moderate injuries to her face, including swelling and bruising around her eyes and nose. She received medical treatment at the scene by the Palo Alto Fire Department, and a police officer transported her to a local hospital for a follow-up evaluation.
The victim described the suspect as of unknown race, between 18 and 22 years old and 5 feet 6 inches tall with a thin build. He was wearing a dark sweatshirt with a gray hood.
This crime occurred within 15 minutes of a purse-snatching attempted robbery in the 200 block of Homer Avenue near Emerson Street. In that case, a man approached a pedestrian in her 30s from behind, pushed her to the ground, and tried to take her purse. When she resisted, he punched her six to eight times in the face, police said. The man left after the woman fought back, and she chased after him. She went to the police department to report the crime, police said.
While the suspect descriptions from these two incidents have differences, detectives believe it is likely the same man due to the geographic proximity, similar time frame, and the similar actions and intent of the assailant, police said.
Although the first incident was reported promptly to police, detectives needed additional time to investigate the circumstances surrounding the assault prior to distributing a press release, police said on Tuesday.
Officers are increasing high-visibility patrols in the downtown area in response to the crimes. Patrol officers are on the lookout for the man and detectives are actively investigating both cases, the department said.
Police ask that the public report suspicious behavior immediately by calling 911 and that anyone who may have information about this crime contact the 24-hour dispatch center at 650-329-2413. Anonymous tips can be e-mailed to paloalto@tipnow.org or sent by text message or voice mail to 650-383-8984.
Related story:
• Woman fights off purse snatcher downtownAre you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.
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Posted by parent, a resident of the Palo Verde neighborhood, on Dec 4, 2012 at 5:21 pm So sad to hear this! I think this is the older homeless lady I have given food to (croissants and breakfast from Crepvine) a few times. She always graciously thanked me for the food. I don't understand why she is not in a shelter at her age. In this wealthy community it is shocking to see old people sleeping in shop doorways.
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Posted by Chris Zaharias, a resident of the Crescent Park neighborhood, on Dec 4, 2012 at 5:24 pm Probably time for some Palo Alto version of Guardian Angels walking the streets of downtown PA to augment what the police are able to provide.
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Posted by parent, a resident of the Palo Verde neighborhood, on Dec 4, 2012 at 5:57 pm That's a good idea. These incidents seem to be increasing.
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Posted by Ducatigirl, a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Dec 4, 2012 at 6:33 pm If this is the elderly woman I am thinking of, she is also very, very arthritic--hands are gnarled from untreated, probably rheumatoid arthritis. She should not be sleeping outside, period.
Why don't the police guide her to a shelter, especially after the attack???
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Posted by Anony, a resident of the Downtown North neighborhood, on Dec 4, 2012 at 7:13 pm I know for a fact that the police department has 2 officers that work with the homeless. Any homeless person downtown is given the opportunity to have shelter. The ones that you see are the ones who have refused help.
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Posted by homeless, a resident of the Community Center neighborhood, on Dec 4, 2012 at 8:42 pm shelters are full and have waiting lists. one cannot just getting in by walking, and most likely they are too far to walk. sad situation .
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Posted by homeless, a resident of the Community Center neighborhood, on Dec 4, 2012 at 9:32 pm too many of us here; around bay area est. 35 000.
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Posted by Anony, a resident of the Downtown North neighborhood, on Dec 4, 2012 at 10:00 pm homeless, if you want permanent housing (I misspoke and said shelter, when I meant permanent housing) please go to the Palo Alto police station and ask to speak to the SED team. I did and it was an eye opener. They WILL get you housing, but people refuse due to drug or mental issues.
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Posted by Raymond, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Dec 5, 2012 at 11:19 am Sleep in a doorway at your own risk. Police can't even protect the law abiding, taxpayers; let alone everyone sleeping on the street.
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Posted by Enough!, a resident of the Charleston Gardens neighborhood, on Dec 5, 2012 at 11:43 am I heard a news report from San Francisco saying that there's homes, vs. shelter, available for the homeless. Not to deny housing to the homeless, but it's fascinating that the very rich and the very poor can get housing, while the rest in-between can't get squat. Some of us NEED to live in this area, don't make that lovely dot.com money, and don't have children to qualify for section 8. It would be nice if pure greed wasn't the motivating factor in setting rents. I've been looking for three years! Rent is ridiculously overpriced.
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Posted by Sarah, a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Dec 5, 2012 at 12:07 pm What kind of creature would try to rob and beat up an elderly, obviously homeless person? What did they think they would get?
We need to find these animals and get them out of our city; a nice bus ride out of town OR prosecute them and give them free room and board, in jail.
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Posted by homeless, a resident of the Community Center neighborhood, on Dec 5, 2012 at 12:15 pm i was the 'rest -in- between ' and still here. what is SED? never heard of that. Police would be the last person I would go ask for help,, though Palo Alto police seems very kind and loving ; spoke with 2 of them and they said to call anytime if I had trouble. That editorial broke my heart; homeless senior citizen and so vulnerable; be beaten and robbed. In SF they have waiting lists for re-furbished housing.. they have long lines and long application process. there is something wrong in the system... ' the very rich and very poor' yes have a chance. the ones in between 50/50 chance. You are welcome to join soup kitchens for food if you struggle with bills, mortgage, rent.. unexpected financial strains. Everyone is welcome and shouldn't feel embarrassed.System is broke.Please help the disfranchised... ask what they need.. shoes, blanket , jacket? They don't have to be new and must not be thought as 'handouts'.. make a new friend from someone who needs support
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Posted by Pearl, a resident of Menlo Park, on Dec 5, 2012 at 7:35 pm
Pearl is a member (registered user) of Palo Alto Online What is a woman in her 70s doing sleeping on the sidewalk at one in the morning?!? Or, any time, for that matter?!? I certainly hope by now that Santa Clara County Adult Protective Services is involved.
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