SMC Man Arrested For Multi-Robbery Spree And Police Chase: Police

REDWOOD CITY, CA — A man from Redwood City was arrested Sunday morning following a series of robberies in Palo Alto and East Palo Alto, ending in a police chase and crash, officers said.

A woman in her 30s reported an attempted robbery in downtown Palo Alto shortly after 10 a.m. on Sunday near Lytton Avenue and Webster Street. The victim told Palo Alto Police Department officers that a man showed her what appeared to be a gun and demanded her purse.

Police said the suspect agreed to let the woman keep some items before fleeing the scene in a green Kia Soul.

The woman was not injured, police said.

At 10:16 a.m., East Palo Alto Police Department officers said they were called to Jack Farrell Park where a teen reported being robbed by three armed suspects.

The suspects pointed guns, stole the victim's belongings and smashed his phone, which delayed his call for help, police said. The teen was also uninjured.

Palo Alto Police officers later spotted the green Kia Soul near University and Woodland avenues. When they attempted to pull them over, the car sped away, leading officers into East Palo Alto.

The chase ended after the Kia was involved in a hit-and-run crash near University Avenue and Donohoe Street.

The car stopped a short distance away, and two suspects fled on foot and remain at large. The third suspect stayed at the scene and was taken into custody, police said.

The driver of the car struck in the hit-and-run was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Police said the Kia Soul had been reported stolen out of Suisun City. Inside the car, officers said they found a replica firearm believed to have been used in the Palo Alto attempted robbery, along with property stolen in the East Palo Alto robbery.

The arrested suspect was identified as Andru Sheldon, a 20-year-old man from Redwood City, police said.

He was booked into the San Mateo County Main Jail on suspicion of felony robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and possession of stolen property, police said.

Police also suspect him of misdemeanor charges, including possession of burglary tools, brandishing a replica gun and inflicting injury on a child.

The other two suspects are still being sought.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Palo Alto Police Department's 24-hour dispatch at (650) 329-2413.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously by text or voicemail to (650) 383-8984.