4 arrested in robbery, attempted carjacking

Teen suspects fled on foot before being captured

PALO ALTO >> Four Oakland boys, one 14 years old and the others 16, were arrested

Monday evening in a robbery and attempted carjacking of a woman at the Stanford Shopping Center, police said Tuesday.

The suspects were captured after they had to flee on foot because they could not start the woman's vehicle, police said.

Police said the woman, who is in her 50s, was sitting in her parked Audi about 6 p.m. Monday at the shopping center.

Police said one of the suspects got into the vehicle on the passenger side and demanded the woman's purse and keys. Another suspect opened the driver's side door and also demanded her purse, police said.

The woman gave the suspects the items and was able to run away, seeing the four suspects get inside the vehicle as she was fleeing, police said. She was not injured.

Police were called and as the woman and a person police described as a Good Samaritan came back to the scene they saw the suspects could not start the vehicle and were running away on El Camino Real.

Police said the suspects apparent unfamiliarity with the vehicle prevented them from starting it.

The woman gave police descriptions of the suspects.

They were spotted moments later by a police sergeant at the downtown train station and were arrested. Police said they recovered the woman's property from one of the suspects.

They were booked at the Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of robbery, attempted carjacking and conspiracy, all felonies.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Palo Alto police at 650329-2413.