An elderly man walking to his car in a private parking lot on El Camino Real, just north of Leland Avenue in Palo Alto, was struck in the head last Friday evening, leaving him with a bleeding wound and a trip to the hospital. The victim, described as in his seventies, was taken to a local hospital, and police say they are treating the case as a possible incident of elder abuse. The attacker ran off on foot and has not been found.
According to Palo Alto Online, the man went into Sundance The Steakhouse to call for help and was met there by officers and firefighters. He told investigators he had been hit from behind with an unknown object as he approached his car, and no property was reported stolen.
What investigators say
Officers scoured the surrounding area and briefly detained a man in his forties for investigation, then released him, according to SFGATE. Police described the suspected attacker as a Hispanic or light-skinned man with a goatee, wearing a baseball cap and possibly a dark shirt. As of now, detectives say the motive is unclear.
How to help
Anyone who saw something or has relevant footage is urged to contact Palo Alto police at (650) 329-2413 or send an anonymous tip by texting the keyword PAPD to 847411, according to the Palo Alto Police Department on the city website. Detectives are particularly interested in any cellphone video or dashcam recordings from the area around the time of the assault.
Legal context
Under California law, willfully causing physical injury to an elder can be prosecuted as elder abuse under Penal Code § 368, and penalties can increase if the victim is 70 or older or suffers great bodily injury, according to Calif. Penal Code § 368. If enhanced charges are filed, a defendant can face additional years in state prison.
The Palo Alto Police Department says the investigation is active, with detectives continuing to canvass the neighborhood and review available surveillance footage, as reported by Palo Alto Online. Officials are asking residents to promptly report suspicious activity and say they will release more details as they are confirmed.
