Palo Alto Home Invaders Force Elderly Residents Onto Floor, Police Say

Three men, one armed with a handgun, invaded a home in Palo Alto Thursday morning and made two elderly people lie on the floor before stealing property and fleeing, police said.

UPDATE: Police Release Sketch of Primary Suspect

At about 10:40 a.m., a resident of the 400 block of Palo Alto Avenue reported that an armed home invasion robbery had just happened, and the three suspects had driven away in a large "boxy-looking" beige or white sedan, police Detective Sgt. Brian Philip said.

The two residents, who are both in their 80s, told police that they were home alone when their doorbell rang. When one resident opened the door, she was immediately confronted by three men dressed in dark-colored, hooded sweatshirts, according to Philip.

The men forced their way in, ordered the two residents to lie face-down on the floor, and then stole wallets, cash and other personal property, including an unloaded handgun, police said.

The intruders then exited the home, got into a waiting vehicle and fled. The car was last seen heading east on Palo Alto Avenue, police said.

Neither of the victims was injured, police said.

Police described the suspects as black men in their 20s wearing the hoods over their heads. One was holding a small black handgun.

The Police Department is asking those with information about the robbery to call the 24-hour dispatch center at (650) 329-2413, or call or text an anonymous tip to (650) 383-8984.

Palo Alto police released a sketch of the primary suspect on Friday:

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