Three men beat and robbed a man on a trail at the Baylands Nature Preserve on Thursday, July 23, yelling racial slurs directed at Black people during the attack, according to the Palo Alto Police Department.
The man, in his 30s, was walking back toward his car on the Marsh Front trailhead at about noon when he passed three men on the path. After he walked by, one of them punched him in the eye, grabbed his shirt and threw him to the ground, police said. The other two then joined in, punching him while shouting racial epithets. One took his wallet from his pants pocket.
The three men ran away on the trail. The victim returned to his nearby workplace and called police at about 12:27 p.m.
Detectives are investigating the case as a possible hate crime. All three suspects remain at large.
The Palo Alto Fire Department treated the man at the scene for bruising, swelling and scratches to his face. He was treated and released at the scene.
Suspect descriptions
The victim described the suspects to police:
- First suspect: Hispanic male in his 20s with a goatee, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, wearing a black hoodie, black jeans and black athletic shoes.
- Second suspect: Hispanic male in his 20s, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, wearing a tan hoodie with lettering on the front and black jeans.
- Third suspect: Male of unknown race in his 20s, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, wearing a black hoodie.
Where it happened
The Marsh Front trailhead sits at 2775 Embarcadero Road, just east of the Palo Alto Airport near the duck pond in the nature preserve.
How to report tips
Anyone with information can call PAPD's 24-hour dispatch center at (650) 329-2413. Anonymous tips can be texted by sending the keyword PAPD and the tip to 847411, or submitted through the "Palo Alto PD Tips" app.
