News Release: Police Investigate Strong-Arm Robbery of Keys
Police are investigating a strong-arm robbery that occurred yesterday at an apartment building in Palo Alto, where an unknown suspect shoved an employee against a door and took her work keys. The victim was treated for minor physical injuries at the scene. The suspect is at large.
On Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at about 8:11 a.m., our 24-hour dispatch center received a call of a strong-arm robbery that had just occurred on private property at the apartment homes in the 1100 block of Welch Road. Officers responded immediately but could not locate the suspect.
The investigation revealed that the victim, a woman in her forties and an employee at the facility, had been using her work keys to enter an office from a common walkway. She was suddenly shoved from behind, causing her to strike her head on the door and fall to the ground. The unknown suspect then forcefully ripped her work keys from her hand. The victim was momentarily stunned from the impact and did not see her assailant. Paramedics from the Palo Alto Fire Department treated her at the scene for a visible bruise on her forehead and released her.
At about 9:51 a.m., other staff members reported finding the keys abandoned elsewhere in the facility. Police processed them for evidence.
Detectives are investigating this incident. At this time, the motive of the suspect is not known. There have been no similar crimes reported to police in that area recently.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call our 24-hour dispatch center 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.
Address/Location
Palo Alto Police Department
275 Forest Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 650-329-2406