Palo Alto police chased down and arrested two Menlo Park men who they believe were planning to burglarize a residence in the Duveneck neighborhood Monday night, Jan. 30.
Officers received a call Monday from a resident in the 600 block of Wildwood Lane who reported seeing two men with flashlights prowling around the outside of a neighboring residence. Police said the caller reported seeing the men near the home's entry gate and called the police to report suspicious behavior.
When officers arrived, they allegedly saw two men sprinting out of the side yard of a home in the 1900 block of Ivy Lane, a few homes away from the location of the call. Police asked the men to stop. When they didn't, police chased them and caught them in the 1900 block of Ivy. No one was injured during the foot pursuit.
Police later discovered evidence of an attempted burglary at the original location in the 600 block of Wildwood and arrested the two men, Antonio Barajas and Ricardo Hernandez. The two 19-year-old Menlo Park residents were charged with attempted residential burglary, conspiracy and possession of burglary tools. They were booked at the Santa Clara County Main Jail in San Jose.
Barajas is facing an additional charge for violation of probation. Police said he is on probation in San Mateo County for being accessory to a felony.
The Monday arrest came about a week after another suspect was arrested and charged with burglarizing a home on Hamilton Avenue a few blocks away from the Ivy Lane home. That suspect, 20-year-old Jose Rodriguez-Vasquez, was arrested on Jan. 22 and charged with stealing electronic equipment from a home while homeowners were out of town.
Police said they are investigating Barajas and Hernandez for possible involvement in other burglaries that have occurred in the Duveneck/St. Francis neighborhood over the past week. That investigation is ongoing.
Comments
Midtown
on Jan 31, 2012 at 4:31 pm
on Jan 31, 2012 at 4:31 pm
Hopefully, they won't let these criminals out on "probation" next time around. And, hopefully, they are thoroughly embarrassed for the shame that they have brought upon themselves and their families.
Crescent Park
on Jan 31, 2012 at 8:45 pm
on Jan 31, 2012 at 8:45 pm
Expect more of this.
another community
on Jan 31, 2012 at 8:48 pm
on Jan 31, 2012 at 8:48 pm
I feel bad for the guys, I would not press charges, they were stealing because they need a haircut.
Downtown North
on Feb 1, 2012 at 11:01 am
on Feb 1, 2012 at 11:01 am
It is very likely that these two would have been thugs and thieves whether hard times or not. I'll expect more of this too. More of thugs going to jail. Kudos to the police department for tracking these idiots down and holding them accountable.
Old Palo Alto
on Feb 1, 2012 at 11:11 am
on Feb 1, 2012 at 11:11 am
Thank you Palo Alto Police Department. Good job.
Downtown North
on Feb 1, 2012 at 11:40 am
on Feb 1, 2012 at 11:40 am
Do police check immigration status in PA? If illegal are they deported?
Duveneck/St. Francis
on Feb 1, 2012 at 1:48 pm
on Feb 1, 2012 at 1:48 pm
"Hopefully, they won't let these criminals out on "probation" next time around."
Non-violent offenders, jail overcrowding, do the math. (Or is that meth?) Did the police drug test these guys? Are they illegals?
Adobe-Meadow
on Feb 1, 2012 at 1:59 pm
on Feb 1, 2012 at 1:59 pm
Anyone else notice that the Weekly only prints mug shots when the suspects are non-white? White suspects get a pass in this newspaper, even when the police department prints their mug shots in the official press releases.
Barron Park
on Feb 1, 2012 at 2:21 pm
on Feb 1, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Their long hair is almost as girlie as their attempted mustaches!
Hoover School
on Feb 1, 2012 at 2:25 pm
on Feb 1, 2012 at 2:25 pm
at "white boy"'s comment: what you're saying is demonstrably false -- I have personally seen mug shots here of many different races, including "whites." Your comment is unfortunately an all-too-common type of weak-minded race-baiting that replaces serious discussion of these issues.
Palo Verde
on Feb 1, 2012 at 3:08 pm
on Feb 1, 2012 at 3:08 pm
Uh, risky to enter a race debate, but aren't these guys white? For the race question the US Census (2010) recognizes White, Black, American Indian, Asian Indian, Native Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Guamanian, Filipino, Vietnamese, Samoan, and other (you can choose one or more boxes, and write-ins are permitted). Hispanic (synonymous with Latino) origin is a separate yes or no question and not legally a race. They call it ethnicity.
South of Midtown
on Feb 1, 2012 at 3:15 pm
on Feb 1, 2012 at 3:15 pm
they are ''those types'' which courtroom and media society think are ''guilty'' on sight!! thats the debate that never get's old. yes, there is complete racism in american society. no ''race baiting'', just the facts. (!)
Midtown
on Feb 1, 2012 at 3:53 pm
on Feb 1, 2012 at 3:53 pm
@ upasse:
While I have no doubt that racism exists (I have experienced it myself), there is no doubt to me that there is a crime epidemic among certain racial and ethnic demographics in this nation.
I am embarrassed when a growing subsection of my ethnicity are turning toward crime and violence. Such behavior serves to extend the stereotypes that many of us are very concerned with. The actions of thugs like this make the rest of us look bad.
Sure, there are racists in this nation. However, there are "racists" and widespread examples of "class bigotry" in Mexico as well. In the United States, such instances are largely frowned upon in today's society and in the media (at least at a surface level).
Unfortunately, there are many examples of bad behavior that tend to reinforce ignorant stereotypes that lump together all members of racial, ethnic or religious groups. Thugs like those who commit a disproportionate number of crimes in Palo Alto and elsewhere are doing a disservice to their own friends and family members who are good and outstanding members of society. Like it or not, their very public bad examples (because of their behavior) reflect upon the rest of us.
Instead of complaining about racism, members of our ethnic minority should point the finger at people like this who selfishly engage in violence, theft and other forms of criminal activity. We should NEVER make excuses for their behavior or try to insinuate that they are "victims" when, in many cases, they are the culprits.
Bad behavior is not restricted to members of the Black or Hispanic communities. There are Anglos and Asians who commit crimes as well. However, I don't rejoice when ANY person commits a crime. I don't excuse them either. There is NO EXCUSE for criminal activity.
Crime is WRONG no matter what race, ethnicity or religious background the culprits belong to. It doesn't help the situation when the first thing that some people do is complain about "racism" when someone from a particular race or ethnic minority get arrested for a crime that they were caught committing.
East Palo Alto
on Feb 1, 2012 at 4:12 pm
on Feb 1, 2012 at 4:12 pm
if youve ''experienced racism'' ,you havent experienced it! ''racism'' isnt something you ''experience'' , it's something thats your whole life! even from your own relatives that are of ''another '' race! nayelli types dont understand racism. racism is not something thats seperate from your every moment! police in america are out to get especially men of african descent. no nayelli or others ''opininions'' are going to change it. nayelli does not understand the lack of privilege african men have in your society.
Midtown
on Feb 1, 2012 at 4:59 pm
on Feb 1, 2012 at 4:59 pm
@ chris:
Please don't lecture me about what I have experienced during my lifetime. I grew up in a family of migrant farm workers. Throughout our travels, we experienced instances where we were called names (or looked down upon) based upon our skin tone, poverty, language and culture.
Thankfully, those individuals didn't represent the "norm" of society. Moreover, our parents taught us to feel sorry for those individuals and their petty prejudices.
Still, you missed the gist of my post. I am not saying that prejudice and racism doesn't exist. Quite the contrary, I acknowledge that it exists in a very ugly and painful form.
What I did say is that the actions of criminals like the ones described in this article serve to substantiate an incorrect stereotype that the rest of us must suffer from. When a Hispanic male robs an old lady of her purse or breaks into and steals from someone's home, they unfortunately "validate" some of the suspicions and stereotypes that are waged against good members of our ethnic group.
These thugs have done more than just steal. They have reinforced such ignorant stereotypes. Yet, also unfortunately, there is an increasing number of bad examples who commit crimes and inadvertently perform a disservice for the rest of us.
These two young men should be ashamed and embarrassed for what they have done AND for the shame that they are inadvertently adding to negative stereotypes against their parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins, friends and outstanding members of the community who do not engage in criminal activity. They have not only shamed themselves. They have shamed the rest of us who are doing our best to be outstanding examples in this community, state and country.
I think that it is ridiculous to blame cops each and every time a person from a particular racial or ethnic minority commits a crime. When will we finally stand up and point the finger of responsibility at the criminal instead?
Menlo Park
on Feb 1, 2012 at 7:01 pm
on Feb 1, 2012 at 7:01 pm
Racism is real. The mustaches and hairstyles that these guys sport are also real. These are some of the sad truths that we have to deal with in this thread.
Barron Park
on Feb 2, 2012 at 8:41 am
on Feb 2, 2012 at 8:41 am
Although racism exists in our society, and there are instances of abuse that take place from positions of authority, these factors still pale in comparison to the destructiveness these young men and others like them have brought on themselves. There are many obstacles for one to overcome in this country. However, there are many more positive opportunities if people choose to seek them out. I will not sympathize or support anyone who chooses a life of crime. For those that wish to blame others for their problems, be it racism, the police, or anyone else, again I have no sympathy.
Again, being a criminal is a choice not a destiny. No one forced anyone to be a thief, take drugs, abuse alcohol, and act like a thug. People choose that lifestyle. If you really want to help someone who is struggling in that life, stop making excuses for their behavior. Don't enable them by making them feel that the reason they're in that position is because of someone else. It's no one's fault but their own. How about raising the bar of expectation. Encourage them to find some honest work, further their education, and just respect other people and their property. Those are the keys to success.
Midtown
on Feb 2, 2012 at 9:33 am
on Feb 2, 2012 at 9:33 am
@ Richard:
Exactly! Racism cannot be used as an excuse to engage in crime. There is NO EXCUSE to commit a crime like this (or worse). No excuse.
Downtown North
on Feb 2, 2012 at 9:46 am
on Feb 2, 2012 at 9:46 am
It's no secret that hispanic gangs dominate this part of the bay and maybe this is why we have so much crime in the area. But the moment anyone points this out the focus goes directly to the word "hispanic" and not "gangs" and we are labeled as bigots or racists even if we ourselves are hispanic. Ofcourse not all illegal aliens are criminals but the vast majority of youths are absorbed into this life style for easy money, respect, peer pressure etc. and incase you did not know there are gangs that distinguish them selves by their nationality and even legal status.
As far as racism goes it cuts both ways. I learned this the hard way growing up in redwood city and east palo alto. In EPA I could not walk from the bus stop to my house without getting beat up or picked on by black kids and sometimes even adults because of my skin color. Living in redwood city it was the same deal, even though Im hispanic but south american I was singled out by chicanos and mexicans a like, growing up I inevitably learned to hate blacks and mexicans because they represented getting my butt whooped, but growing up you realize its not the race but the mob and criminal mentality that is the problem, unfortunately these too often stem from racial and national pride, and like it or not you can not address one with out the other if we're serious about taking care of the problem .
Duveneck/St. Francis
on Feb 2, 2012 at 9:54 am
on Feb 2, 2012 at 9:54 am
As a white, I feel offended by the implication that I am racist by virtue of the fact that I am white. Casting me that way is extremely racist.
Be careful, you become what you hate. You hate racists? You risk becoming one.
Southgate
on Feb 2, 2012 at 2:44 pm
on Feb 2, 2012 at 2:44 pm
racista are afraid they are racist. which many people are. no one is supporting crime. every ttime someone has a race problem, they are called racists!!! a perfect way tondeny racism! studies have been made where a white applicant for a job with a criminal record, will be chosen over a black applicant with NO criminal record! that is racism , obviosly. BUT OF COURSE(!!!) , there will be those on this board whho would say ''oh, but the white applicant must have been more qualified''!!. [Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
Palo Alto Hills
on Feb 2, 2012 at 3:16 pm
on Feb 2, 2012 at 3:16 pm
Apparently people of color can't walk without being suspected of commiting a crime, maybe the flashlight was used because it was night time and where walking through Palo alto as a shortcut to get to their home. Fyi not every colored ppl is up to no good when walking through a suburban neighborhood.
South of Midtown
on Feb 2, 2012 at 4:02 pm
on Feb 2, 2012 at 4:02 pm
[Post removed due to same poster using multiple names]
Midtown
on Feb 2, 2012 at 4:08 pm
on Feb 2, 2012 at 4:08 pm
@ "white:"
Obviously, you didn't read or understand my posts. This has little to do with race. It has everything to do with criminal behavior by a couple of thugs. They are not thugs because of their race or economic standing. They are thugs because they want something that someone else has.
No one here (myself included) has said that racism doesn't exist. Quite the contrary! Some of us have experienced it in all of its ugly form.
What some of us are saying is that racism is NOT an excuse to commit crimes. While you aren't saying this, the tone by which a discussion of criminal activity here at the PaloAltoOnline tends to turn toward such accusations when a member of various minority groups is arrested for deviant activity.
The men mentioned in this article were NOT arrested because they were Hispanic...or because they had bad hair days. They were arrested because they were COMMITTING A CRIME. They deserved to be arrested. They deserve to be punished. They deserve to have their freedom taken from them...because they have demonstrated that they cannot coexist with the rest of society without committing crime.
They should be ASHAMED of themselves. Not only have they brought shame upon themselves, their families and their friends, but their bad example has also reinforced many of those "racist" stereotypes that the rest of us will suffer for.
So, before you post about how "brain dead" that Americans are somehow "notorious" for while ranting about "whites," you might want to answer whether or not the arrest of these two young men was justified.
Registered user
Midtown
on Feb 2, 2012 at 4:24 pm
Registered user
on Feb 2, 2012 at 4:24 pm
@ "canton"/"white" (same person?):
Interestingly, my nine siblings, parents, cousins, friends and I haven't experienced such "racial/ethnic prejudice" from any cops that you suggest is so widespread. I have been pulled over a couple of times during my life (speeding and a bad tail light), and I have never been treated poorly.
Our family is noticeably Hispanic and we all speak with a thick Norteño Mexican accent. My parents don't even speak English. Every time that we have had interactions with police, they have treated us as well as Anglos that I know.
I am sure that there are some bad cops out there. However, that is because they are bad INDIVIDUALS who poorly represent the law and the agency they work for. In fact, all of the police officers that I have encountered in Palo Alto have been good and kind people.
Besides, you are ironically stereotyping ALL law enforcement officers in much the same way that you accuse them of stereotyping certain minority groups.
Does that make sense?
Again, racism (or accusations of racism) cannot be used as an excuse to commit crimes or defend those who do.
Registered user
Midtown
on Feb 2, 2012 at 7:47 pm
Registered user
on Feb 2, 2012 at 7:47 pm
Web Link
Registered user
Stanford
on Feb 14, 2012 at 3:56 am
Registered user
on Feb 14, 2012 at 3:56 am
Nayeli,
Great, thoughtful comments. Thank you.