Police are investigating a jewelry robbery that occurred on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. Two suspects conspired to remove jewelry from an elderly female victim. The victim was not physically injured, and the suspects are unknown and at large.
On Thursday, June 4, 2026, at about 10:05 a.m., the victim called our 24-hour dispatch center to report a jewelry theft that occurred on the 3300 block of Alma Street on the afternoon of June 3, 2026.
The investigation revealed that the victim, a woman in her seventies, was walking on the 3300 block of Alma Street at about 4:30 p.m. The victim reported that a beige colored vehicle, driven by a man with a woman passenger, drove past her and parked along the curb of Alma Street. The woman approached the victim and placed a necklace around the victim’s neck. While placing the necklace on the victim, the woman took the victim’s necklace. The victim realized the woman had taken her necklace and grabbed it back. After a brief struggle, the pendant fell off of the victim’s necklace. The woman grabbed the pendant and returned to the vehicle. The suspects then drove off northbound on Alma Street. The victim did not report seeing any weapon and did not report any physical injuries. The victim notified police of the incident on June 4, 2026.
The victim described the woman suspect as being a White female with blonde hair. The female suspect spoke a language that the victim did not recognize. The beige colored vehicle was driven by an adult male. Detectives are investigating this case to see if there is any connection to previous similar incidents or with any other similar crimes in other cities.
Police recommend that adult children and caregivers of elderly residents discuss these recent incidents with them and make them aware of the scam. Police recommend that you always remain aware of your surroundings and be cautious if approached by a stranger or occupants of an unfamiliar vehicle. Police recommend maintaining a safe distance from any stranger or unfamiliar, unoccupied vehicle. Be aware of robbery attempts like these, and other criminal behavior that may occur, and promptly report suspicious behavior or crimes to the police by calling our 24-hour dispatch center at (650) 329-2413, or 9-1-1 if it is an emergency.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call our 24-hour dispatch center at (650) 329-2413. Anonymous tips can be sent via text message by texting the keyword PAPD and the tip to 847411, or submitted using the "Palo Alto PD Tips" app, which is available via the App Store or Google Play.
To read this release on the city's website, click here: https://www.paloalto.gov/News-Articles/Police-Department/Police-Investigating-Jewelry-Robbery-from-Elderly-Victim?transfer=db2ad274-a881-4fe6-aada-e42c170f7a5d
