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Police news: Police seek killer of man, 19, in Menlo Park
• Unknown gunmen opened fire on car.

by Sandy Brundage

Menlo Park police responding to a report of gunshots on Aug. 18 found a 19-year-old man, Carl Purvis Jr., dead behind the wheel of his car.

The dark blue Pontiac was resting on the curb in the 500 block of Pierce Road, a few blocks away from where investigators discovered broken automobile glass. Medics reported that Mr. Purvis, a resident of Stockton and East Palo Alto, had been shot in the torso.

According to police, unidentified gunmen in an older model red American car with large rims and a spoiler opened fire on the Pontiac at the corner of Newbridge Street and Almanor Avenue around 6 p.m. on Thursday. Witnesses reported the red car fled south on Newbridge.

So far nothing links the case to other local shootings, said police spokesperson Nicole Acker. East Palo Alto has been fighting to stem a string of violence that led to four deaths in 12 days, including that of a 3-month-old boy and a 19-year-old Menlo Park woman.

The police ask anyone who might have information regarding this case to call 330-6300 or the anonymous tip line at 330-6395.

Car strikes stroller

A Toyota Prius struck a stroller, tossing a child out, as the driver tried to make a left turn on to Ravenswood Avenue from Laurel Street around 10:23 a.m., according to a Menlo Park police report for Wednesday, Aug. 17. Police stated the driver said he didn't see the woman walking with the stroller. The child didn't need hospital care.

Alleged shoplifters return to store

Two women who allegedly shoplifted household items from a Menlo Park Walgreens returned to the store on a different day, and were spotted by staff who recognized the pair from surveillance video, police said. Tiara Lackey, 22, and Janet Austin, 55, both of San Francisco, were arrested for burglary and attempted burglary on Wednesday, Aug. 17, around 11:21 a.m.

Rape reported

A woman reported being raped by an unknown male suspect on Wednesday, Aug. 17, around 3:47 p.m. According to Menlo Park police, the woman said she was intoxicated and assaulted in Kelly Park on Terminal Avenue. Police are continuing to investigate.