By the Daily Post staff
Three teens are at large after they robbed a man of his phone and kicked him near the University Avenue Caltrain station last night (Jan. 14), Palo Alto police said today.
Police said that the victim, a man in his 30s, was walking east toward the transit station when he realized he was being followed by three young men. He stopped to check his email and let them pass. But when he looked up, the three were blocking the sidewalk.
One of the teens slapped the phone out of his hand, while another attempted to kick him, police said. They grabbed the phone off the ground and ran up the pedestrian ramp toward the northbound train platform.
The victim ran after the teens and searched inside a waiting train, but didn’t find them.
Descriptions
The victim describes the three as black juveniles about 16 to 18 years old. One was 5-foot-10 having a thin build. He had short black hair and was wearing a black shirt and gray pants. The victim says a second suspect was 5 feet 7 as well.
Police said their detectives are working on this robbery. They don’t believe it is related to a Nov. 23 robbery on a bike path near the railroad tracks and Town & Country Village Shopping Center.
Anyone with information can call police at (650) 329-2413. Anonymous tips can be e-mailed to [email protected] or sent via text message or voice mail to 650-383-8984.
Teens are always getting into something. Back in the 80’s my parents would have tore some glutes muscle up and as they should because county prosecutors do nothing but make their lives worst by putting them in jail and giving them a record without any rehab. I say give them a choice let the parents give them a harsh learning lesson or sent them to jail and branded like cattle with a criminal record because that is what it comes down to.
We’ve had a lot of crime in Palo Alto lately … three sex assaults and two muggings in 5 or 6 weeks. Where are the cops? Why aren’t there highly visible street patrols? Somebody is going to get killed if the police don’t jump into action.
The police can’t be everywhere at all times. People need to be smarter pedestrians, trying to be completely aware of who’s nearby at all times. I’m not sure if the victim was one of the many who walk around staring into their phones. Hope not. But stopping to check his email? I know he was probably worried and/or scared, but that definitely wasn’t a smart move. Also not sure of what time of day this happened. Whatever the circumstances, it’s a shame crimes like this are becoming more commonplace. Men and women alike just have to be more aware.