Luxury handbags stolen from dining room of occupied home

PALO ALTO >> Authorities on Friday announced an arrest in a recent overnight residential burglary as well as three other attempted residential burglaries in Palo Alto.

The suspect — identified as a 28-year-old Palo Alto man — was arrested Thursday afternoon at his home in the 3100 block of Middlefield Road, the Palo Alto Police Department said in a statement.

Detectives served a search warrant at the man's residence and found four handbags that were reported stolen on Feb. 20 from a home in the 1300 block of Forest Avenue, according to police. The handbags were valued at more than $10,000.

The victims — a family of three — were home when the burglary occurred, police said. Surveillance footage showed a person entering the residence through an unlocked back door around 2 a.m. and taking the handbags from a dining room table.

Detectives also found evidence linking the suspect to three of four prowling cases that occurred between 3 and 4 a.m. on Feb. 19 at occupied residences in the 3800 block of Nathan Way, the 3500 block of Ross Road and the 700 block of Christine Drive, according to police. In each case, a person was caught on camera entering a side or backyard through an unlocked gate and then trying to open doors to the home.

Police said the suspect was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail in San Jose on one count of residential burglary and three counts of attempted residential burglary.

Anyone with information related to the cases 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.