Police are investigating a robbery that occurred on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at the Baylands Nature Preserve. Three suspects robbed the victim of his wallet while yelling racial slurs. The victim suffered bruises and scratches from the attack. The suspects are unknown and at large.
On Thursday, July 23, 2026, at about 12:27 p.m., the victim called our 24-hour dispatch center to report a robbery that occurred approximately 30 minutes prior on the Marsh Front trailhead located at the Baylands Nature Preserve (2775 Embarcadero Road).
The investigation revealed that the victim, a man in his thirties, was walking on the Marsh Front trailhead at about 12:00 p.m. The victim reported that he was walking back towards his car when he passed 3 males walking on the path. After the victim passed the males, one punched him in the eye and grabbed him by the shirt and threw him to the ground. The other two males began punching and striking the victim while one took the victim’s wallet from his pants pocket. While the males were striking the victim, they were yelling racial epithets directed at Black people. The males were last seen running away on the trail. The victim returned to his place of work nearby and called police. The victim suffered bruising, swelling, and scratches to his face. Palo Alto Fire responded and provided medical treatment to the victim and released him at the scene.
The victim described the first male suspect as being a Hispanic male in his twenties with a goatee. The suspect was approximately 5’8” tall and wearing a black hoodie, black jeans, and black athletic shoes. The victim described the second male suspect as being a Hispanic male in his twenties approximately 5’8” tall wearing a tan hoodie with lettering on the front and black jeans. The victim described the third male suspect as an unknown race male in his twenties approximately 5’8” tall wearing a black hoodie. Detectives are actively investigating this case.
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 view this release on the city's website, click here: https://www.paloalto.gov/News-Articles/Police-Department/Police-Investigating-Baylands-Robbery-as-Possible-Hate-Crime
