Burglary of occupied home in Palo Alto prompts police search

On Tuesday evening, a burglary occurred in an occupied home on the 3900 block of Laguna Avenue in Palo Alto's Barron Park neighborhood. The incident was reported around 9 p.m. when a woman in her 60s was awakened by the sound of footsteps in her home. Upon investigation, she saw an unknown individual fleeing the premises. Fortunately, there was no direct interaction between the resident and the intruder. The burglar gained entry by breaking a sliding glass door in an unoccupied bedroom. Although the suspect appeared to have rummaged through some drawers in a closet, nothing was reported stolen. This incident is part of a concerning trend, as police are investigating a potential link to a similar burglary that took place on August 27 on the 800 block of Barron. In that earlier case, a woman in her 90s was disturbed by a call from her alarm company and discovered that her home had been ransacked, resulting in the theft of several pieces of jewelry. Authorities have not released a description of the suspect, who remains at large. The police are actively seeking information from the public to aid in their investigation. They encourage anyone with relevant details to contact the Palo Alto Police Department's 24-hour dispatch center or submit anonymous tips via email or text. The rise in such incidents raises concerns about safety in the community, prompting residents to be more vigilant and report any suspicious activity. The police department is committed to addressing these burglaries and ensuring the safety of Palo Alto residents.