Two men — one of whom brandished a gun — robbed two women in Atherton, assaulting one of them, on Tuesday afternoon, March 3, Atherton police reported March 4.
According to a police department bulletin, the two victims, aged 64 and 75, were walking on Park Lane between Santiago Avenue and Elena Avenue at approximately 12:15 p.m. when the men reportedly drove up from behind them.
The men got out of the vehicle and approached the victims. The driver allegedly snatched a cell phone from one woman's hand, then shoved the second victim to the ground and took her cell phone as well.
The men also tried to take the first victim’s purse, but failed, according to police.
The attackers then got back into their vehicle — described as a dark-colored, possibly early 2000s Ford Explorer — and the passenger pointed a dark-colored handgun at the victims, police said. They then drove off westbound toward Park Lane.
One man was described as male between 25 and 35 years old, with slicked-back hair and wearing a gray or black hoodie. The other man was simply described as male.
The victims lost two smartphones, a green Apple iPhone 11 with a black case, and a white Apple iPhone 10 with a pink and orange case.
Robberies in Atherton are rare, according to recent crime statistics from the Atherton Police Department. In 2018 there were only two robberies, in 2017 there were none, and in 2016 there was one.
The Atherton Police Department has asked that anyone with information regarding the incident call the department at (650) 688-6500.
Comments
Atherton: Lindenwood
on Mar 5, 2020 at 6:25 am
on Mar 5, 2020 at 6:25 am
If they really wanted help with this case they would have posted a description of these "Men".
Menlo Park: Park Forest
on Mar 5, 2020 at 9:56 am
on Mar 5, 2020 at 9:56 am
"Robberies in Atherton are rare, according to recent crime statistics from the Atherton Police Department. In 2018 there were only two robberies, in 2017 there were none, and in 2016 there was one."
Perhaps Council member Lempres should be asking why do we spend all this money on a police force if robberies are so rare?
Woodside: other
on Mar 5, 2020 at 12:23 pm
on Mar 5, 2020 at 12:23 pm
@Peter Carpenter - perhaps robberies are rare because Atherton spends enough on the police force...I sure hope our neighboring communities do the same. I applaud Atherton Police.
Atherton: Lindenwood
on Mar 5, 2020 at 1:02 pm
on Mar 5, 2020 at 1:02 pm
My major issue with the police report is that it was sent to Atherton residents ONE FULL DAY LATER. Occurred about 12:15 on 3/3, reported by Atherton notification 12:31 3/4.
How can we bolo or help when the report is not timely ?
Menlo Park: Allied Arts/Stanford Park
on Mar 5, 2020 at 1:53 pm
on Mar 5, 2020 at 1:53 pm
64 = “elderly”? Really?
Menlo Park: Park Forest
on Mar 5, 2020 at 1:56 pm
on Mar 5, 2020 at 1:56 pm
"@Peter Carpenter - perhaps robberies are rare because Atherton spends enough on the police force."
Precisely m y point since Lempres has complained (see Dec 18, 2019 Council minutes item 18) about the cost of fire services because " we have had only one fire in the last year"..
But then consistency is not one of his strong points.
Atherton: other
on Mar 5, 2020 at 2:25 pm
on Mar 5, 2020 at 2:25 pm
Ageist much?
May I suggest that 64, rather than "elderly," is the average age of Park residents. Is the Almanac positing that the robbers would have avoided a 20-something female? They had a gun; I'm guessing they would have attacked any woman.
Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Mar 5, 2020 at 3:32 pm
on Mar 5, 2020 at 3:32 pm
Well, golly. The handgun was "dark-colored." Any idea whether the 2000-ish Ford Explorer was light, dark, or bright? What color was the "slicked back hair?" Were the men short / tall / heavy-set / thin? Were they fair, medium or dark complected? Bearded or clean-shaven? Not much to go on here.
And yes, I'd say 75 years old is past middle-age & go with elderly.