A group of individuals was caught red-handed breaking into a woman’s house while she was away on vacation, according to California officials.
The incident occurred just before 9.30pm on June 15, when a woman in her 60s contacted Palo Alto officers after spotting “multiple strangers breaking into her house” on her home security system, as per a June 17 news release by police.
Upon investigation, authorities discovered that the group had gained entry by breaking a glass door on the home’s second floor.
Once inside, they proceeded to “ransack two upstairs bedrooms” and pack belongings into bags before being interrupted by the police.
As officers arrived at the scene, three suspects fled the home and attempted to escape by jumping over fences. One suspect later complained of pain after jumping off the second-floor balcony.
During the search for the suspects, ages 23, 18, and two 17-year-olds, officers located a Chevrolet Tahoe parked near the home. They apprehended the fourth suspect, a 17-year-old, who was found hiding on the backseat floorboard without incident.
The 23-year-old and 18-year-old suspects were taken into custody and booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail on charges of residential burglary, conspiracy, and resisting arrest. The two 17-year-olds were also arrested on similar charges, along with possession of burglary tools.
Palo Alto is situated about 30 miles southeast of San Francisco. – The Charlotte Observer/Tribune News Service