Police in Palo Alto have arrested a woman suspected of an auto burglary in the city’s University South neighborhood on Thursday morning, authorities said Saturday morning.

At approximately 8:58 a.m. on Feb. 22, the 24-hour dispatch center received a report of a possible auto burglary in progress. Police responded to find the suspect inside a white 2020 Ford Escape in the 900 block of High Street, according to a police press release issued Feb. 24. The suspect then got out the vehicle and walked away. Palo Alto officials contacted her without incident.

Police identified the suspect as a 42-year-old woman of Morgan Hill. After a preliminary investigation, pry marks were discovered on the vehicle, suggesting that it had been forcibly entered. She used a key as a pry tool to damage and forcibly open the locked door of the Escape, gaining entry to the vehicle.

A man’s wallet was found inside the suspect’s jacket pocket, confirming it was stolen from the Escape. Police contacted the owner, a man in his fifties, who identified the wallet, and officers promptly returned it.

The woman was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail on charges of auto burglary and possession of burglary tools.

Police do not have evidence linking this suspect to any other auto burglaries. Detectives are actively pursuing further investigation.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Palo Alto police’s 24-hour dispatch center at 650-329-2413. Anonymous tips can be emailed to paloalto@tipnow.org or sent via text message or voicemail to 650-383-8984.

Editor’s note: Palo Alto Online’s policy is to withhold the names of those arrested for most crimes until the district attorney has determined there is sufficient evidence to file charges in the case. Read our guidelines.

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