PALO ALTO – Officers were investigating the armed robbery of two women Tuesday at the Stanford Shopping Center, police said.
The victims, a woman in her 70s and a woman in her 80s, were dining together at True Food Kitchen at about 2:45 p.m. when a man approached them, displayed a black handgun and demanded their purses, the Palo Alto Police Department said in a news release.
Police said the victims handed over their purses and heard the suspect’s gun make a “pop” or “click” noise.
“As other witnesses reported seeing an orange color on the gun (including possibly at its tip), police believe it is possible the weapon was a replica handgun,” police said.
Police did not find a projectile or damage from a projectile at the scene. No injuries were reported.
The suspect was described as a man in his late teens or early 20s and about 6 feet tall with an average build. Police said he had curly hair and was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with red lettering, black pants, red shoes and a face covering.
The suspect left the scene on a blue bicycle and was last seen riding northbound toward Sand Hill Road.
Anyone with information related to the case can contact the police department at 650-329-2413. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call or text 650-383-8984 or email paloalto@tipnow.org.
