Burglar Enters Palo Alto Home While Man Is Working Remote

PALO ALTO, CA — Palo Alto police are looking for the suspect in a brazen burglary attempt that startled a man while he was on a work call Monday.

In a news release, police said the victim called 911 from his home on Cowper Street to report a burglar that had entered his home about 90 minutes prior.

The man in his 30s told police he was home alone when he heard a knock at his front door around 9:40 a.m. The victim said he ignored the knock since he was in the middle of a virtual work meeting. A few minutes later, he heard footsteps inside the house.

The man went to investigate and saw a stranger standing in his hallway. The victim called out to him, causing the man to flee.

When police arrived, they determined the suspect accessed the home through an unlocked rear door but was unable to steal anything before his escape. The victim did not know the age or race of the suspect, describing all black clothing and an all-black face mask, which was not enough detail to develop a sketch. Police continue to investigate the incident.

While no other recent burglaries of occupied homes have been reported, police warn residents to be mindful of some common tactics that mirror the latest case.

"Most residential burglars commit their crimes during the day, when homes are more likely to be unoccupied and the chance of a confrontation with a resident [is] correspondingly reduced," police wrote Tuesday. "Many burglars will first knock on the front door in an attempt to see if anyone is home; if you answer, they will often come up with an excuse of why they knocked and then quickly leave. If they do not receive an answer, though, they will often enter the rear yard, where they can then attempt to locate a way into the home free of being witnessed by passersby."

When someone knocks unexpectedly, police recommend residents acknowledge they are home through an unopened front door. Residents with side gates should also consider putting a lock on them.

Anyone with information about the burglary case can contact dispatch at 650-329-2413. Anonymous tips can be called in or texted to 650-383-8984.