News

Suspect arrested in downtown Palo Alto robbery

Police say Redwood City man robbed woman of her purse, later returned for her car

A man who police said robbed a woman at gunpoint in downtown Palo Alto in October and then stole her car several days later was arrested Friday morning in Redwood City.

Police said Emanuel Abazan, 18, approached a woman and her friend on the night of Oct. 20 as they were walking on Ramona Street, flashed a gun and demanded the woman's purse. After she complied, the suspect fled to a waiting vehicle.

Several days later, the robber allegedly returned to the victim's home and used the keys from her purse to steal her car.

Related story: Police identify Palo Alto gunpoint-robbery suspect (Oct. 29, 2011)

After a long investigation, Palo Alto police determined the suspect to be Abazan, a Redwood City resident. On Friday, police, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service and agents the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's Fugitive Apprehension team, caught up to Abazan in Redwood City, in the area of Middlefield Road and Elm Street.

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When officers tried to stop him, he allegedly tried to flee but was caught after a brief foot pursuit. Police said no one was injured.

Abazan was booked at the Santa Clara County Main Jail and charged with robbery, vehicle theft and possession of stolen property.

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Gennady Sheyner
 
Gennady Sheyner covers the City Hall beat in Palo Alto as well as regional politics, with a special focus on housing and transportation. Before joining the Palo Alto Weekly/PaloAltoOnline.com in 2008, he covered breaking news and local politics for the Waterbury Republican-American, a daily newspaper in Connecticut. Read more >>

Follow on Twitter @paloaltoweekly, Facebook and on Instagram @paloaltoonline for breaking news, local events, photos, videos and more.

Suspect arrested in downtown Palo Alto robbery

Police say Redwood City man robbed woman of her purse, later returned for her car

A man who police said robbed a woman at gunpoint in downtown Palo Alto in October and then stole her car several days later was arrested Friday morning in Redwood City.

Police said Emanuel Abazan, 18, approached a woman and her friend on the night of Oct. 20 as they were walking on Ramona Street, flashed a gun and demanded the woman's purse. After she complied, the suspect fled to a waiting vehicle.

Several days later, the robber allegedly returned to the victim's home and used the keys from her purse to steal her car.

Related story: Police identify Palo Alto gunpoint-robbery suspect (Oct. 29, 2011)

After a long investigation, Palo Alto police determined the suspect to be Abazan, a Redwood City resident. On Friday, police, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service and agents the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's Fugitive Apprehension team, caught up to Abazan in Redwood City, in the area of Middlefield Road and Elm Street.

When officers tried to stop him, he allegedly tried to flee but was caught after a brief foot pursuit. Police said no one was injured.

Abazan was booked at the Santa Clara County Main Jail and charged with robbery, vehicle theft and possession of stolen property.

Comments

Zelda
Downtown North
on Jan 14, 2012 at 1:50 pm
Zelda, Downtown North
on Jan 14, 2012 at 1:50 pm

[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]


Downtown Resident
Midtown
on Jan 14, 2012 at 2:20 pm
Downtown Resident, Midtown
on Jan 14, 2012 at 2:20 pm

Classy Zelda. I love how PAOnline will censor certain comments but not comments like this.

I hate what this town is becoming.


of course.
Southgate
on Jan 14, 2012 at 2:34 pm
of course., Southgate
on Jan 14, 2012 at 2:34 pm

a ''lenghty investigation'' these days means they saw someone who was wearing a shirt like some criminal , then they find another minority person with similar shirt then blame that person! that is not an exaggeration . it can be documented to the online editors but people dont want to bring it publically for obvious reasons.you dont trust anyone anymore lately.


local joe
Menlo Park
on Jan 14, 2012 at 3:33 pm
local joe, Menlo Park
on Jan 14, 2012 at 3:33 pm

[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]


Book-em-Danno!
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jan 14, 2012 at 4:02 pm
Book-em-Danno!, Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jan 14, 2012 at 4:02 pm

[Post removed by Palo Alto Online due to copyright concerns.]


Tired of the BS
East Palo Alto
on Jan 14, 2012 at 4:34 pm
Tired of the BS, East Palo Alto
on Jan 14, 2012 at 4:34 pm

Although I agree that people who are not here legally and commit crimes should be deported, where does it say that this guy is not a citizen? I also don't see where it says he was still driving the victim's car. Was there another article I don't know about?


Crescent Park Mom
Registered user
Crescent Park
on Jan 16, 2012 at 11:09 am
Crescent Park Mom, Crescent Park
Registered user
on Jan 16, 2012 at 11:09 am

Thank you wonderful Palo Alto Police Department for catching another bad guy. I know the victim is sleeping easier tonight and so am I!!


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