A resident in the 1500 block of Dana Avenue in Palo Alto interrupted a burglar trying to break into his home, police said.
The resident told police that somebody had broken the glass of his rear door at about 8:30 p.m. Friday.
The resident had been upstairs when he heard a loud crash. When he ran downstairs to see what happened, he saw the shattered glass, heard the sound of a person running outside, and then heard a car driving away.
The victim did not see the burglar, nor does it appear that the would-be thief ever got into the home, police said. Nothing was stolen.
Police believe that the burglar assumed no one was home, but then heard the occupant running downstairs and fled the scene.
The home is in the 1500 block of Dana between Newell Road and Alester Ave., just up the street from Duveneck Elementary School.
Palo Alto Police are reminding people that most residential burglaries happen during the day, when homes are likely to be unoccupied. Residents who have a side yard gate should put a lock on it to prevent easy access to the property. Windows and doors should also be secured overnight.
Hiding a key to your house outside also poses a potential risk, police said. As an alternative, consider leaving a spare key with a trusted neighbor.
Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call the 24-hour Palo Alto PD dispatch center at (650) 329-2413. Anonymous tips can also be emailed to [email protected]. — Bay City News