An East Palo Alto man who police said was trying to break into a car in Palo Alto's Crescent Park neighborhood early Wednesday morning was arrested after a private-security officer spotted him and stopped the attempt.

Palo Alto police said 51-year-old Anthony Ray Price was seen shining a flashlight at two different cars that were parked in driveways on the 1400 block of Hamilton Avenue, between Newell Road and Southwood Drive. The security officer allegedly saw the man walk up the two driveways and eventually try to force open a locked car door.

According to police, the security officer intervened, detained the man and called police shortly before 3 a.m. Wednesday. Price did not damage the vehicle and did not succeed in gaining entry, according to a police press release.

After detaining Price, police determined that he was under the influence of narcotics and had in his possession cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Police said he also had burglary tools, including a bent metal rod and a 3-inch nail.

Price was booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail for felony attempted burglary and misdemeanor charges of prowling, being under the influence of narcotics, and possession of cocaine, drug paraphernalia and burglary tools. Police said Price was also on parole for drug possession and now faces a charge of felony parole violation.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the department's 24-hour dispatch service at 650-329-2413. Anonymous tips can be emailed to paloalto@tipnow.org or sent to 650-383-8984.