Palo Alto police arrested a man Tuesday (Jan. 24) who they believe burglarized a home in the Duveneck/St. Francis neighborhood Sunday (Jan. 22).
The suspect, 20-year-old Jose Rodriguez-Vasquez, was arrested early Monday morning after a resident in the 1600 block of Edgewood Drive called the police and reported hearing noises and seeing a flashlight outside. Police arrived and stopped Vasquez at Hamilton Avenue and Alester Drive, a block west of the Edgewood Drive home.
According to Sgt. Kara Apple, police linked Rodriguez-Vasquez to both the prowling incident and to a burglary that the department had investigated on Sunday. Police said that burglary occurred in the 1600 block of Hamilton, about a block away from the home on Edgewood. Homeowners were away for a few days and when they returned they noticed that multiple electronic items had been stolen.
"The house had been rummaged through and there were five items confirmed stolen," Apple said.
Officers served a search warrant Monday at Rodriguez-Vasquez's house in East Palo Alto and found several items from the Hamilton Avenue home. He was arrested and booked in the San Jose Main Jail for burglary and possession of a fixed-blade knife.
Apple said police used the serial numbers on some of the electronic items to confirm that they were stolen from the Hamilton Avenue home.
Comments
Palo Alto High School
on Jan 25, 2012 at 9:33 am
on Jan 25, 2012 at 9:33 am
Wouldn't you categorize this more as in Crescent Park area?
Crescent Park
on Jan 25, 2012 at 10:49 am
on Jan 25, 2012 at 10:49 am
1600 block of Hamilton is the corner block with Alester - which is the street (only 1 block long) where Duveneck is located.
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jan 25, 2012 at 10:51 am
on Jan 25, 2012 at 10:51 am
No. This is east of Newell Road; it's definitely in the Duveneck/St. Francis neighborhood.
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jan 25, 2012 at 10:58 am
on Jan 25, 2012 at 10:58 am
My kitchen is full of fixed-blade knives.
What gives?
Duveneck/St. Francis
on Jan 25, 2012 at 11:38 am
on Jan 25, 2012 at 11:38 am
I believe there is a difference between having knives in your kitchen, where they would be expected, and having them on your person while you are checking out other people's houses in the middle of the night with a flashlight. The second case probably comes under "carrying a concealed weapon" and would certainly not make the homeowner any more comfortable knowing you had it.
I am VERY pleased that they found the items from a previous burglary in this guy's home because not only can they be returned, but it strongly indicates that they caught the right guy. Now, drug-test him.
Embarcadero Oaks/Leland
on Jan 25, 2012 at 12:48 pm
on Jan 25, 2012 at 12:48 pm
I hope the people on the blogs here who always write about the threat to officers not being as dangerous as the police say read this article. Though the officer or the public didn't get attacked (thank goodness), this illustrates the dangers they face, that don't always show up on stats. Thanks to the PAPD for catching this guy.
Duveneck/St. Francis
on Jan 25, 2012 at 1:04 pm
on Jan 25, 2012 at 1:04 pm
I don't know how I would handle the risk officers put themselves through daily, it would be tough. The good news is that they are trained and outfitted to reduce risk to themselves and others, and they are also brave. The PA police, in particular, rock.
Yeah, that knife could easily have been a gun.
Midtown
on Jan 25, 2012 at 1:36 pm
on Jan 25, 2012 at 1:36 pm
Good job, PAPD! This is one less selfish crook off the streets. Hopefully, he will be embarrassed and ashamed for the choices that he made.
Palo Verde
on Jan 25, 2012 at 7:49 pm
on Jan 25, 2012 at 7:49 pm
Big difference between knife and gun, though either runs a large gamut. Don't know what size pocket knife (concealed weapon) I'm allowed to carry on the street. Can't even have a plastic butter-knife on school grounds or commercial aircraft. Remember the little San Jose housewife shot in her kitchen for brandishing a potato peeler? Key is not to even hold a toothpick in a threatening manner or during the commission of a crime. But yes, a guy caught red-handed needs the book thrown at him in hopes that something will stick in the courtroom.
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jan 25, 2012 at 9:04 pm
on Jan 25, 2012 at 9:04 pm
Article didn't state WHERE/WHEN the police found the fixed-blade knife. At the suspect's home when they executed the search warrant?
Plenty of people have knives.
The circumstances are very unclear.
Greene Middle School
on Jan 26, 2012 at 12:20 am
on Jan 26, 2012 at 12:20 am
Good thing the owner wrote down the serial numbers.
Thanks, PAPD!
Duveneck/St. Francis
on Jan 26, 2012 at 9:09 am
on Jan 26, 2012 at 9:09 am
"Can't even have a plastic butter-knife on school grounds or commercial aircraft."
I remember that story about the grade-school kid who was expelled for bringing a firearm onto school grounds when he stuck his hand into his pocket and discovered he had accidently brought a 2" plastic G.I.Joe gun to school. I detest zero-tolerance laws that are enforced without applying rational thought.
The section of Edgewood where this house is located is along the path that runs from the Newell bridge to the Edgewood liquor store. I strongly believe that store is still permitted to operate while other shops have been closed down just to attract this sort of scum. The developers want to motivate Palo Altans into allowing them to develop as they please in the hopes that that store will be shut down and the scum-attractor will be removed. They want to make us feel the pain so that they can install a new shopping center that many do not want.