Man accused of threatening store employee, evading officers in Palo Alto
Above: Luis Enrique Cruz | Palo Alto PD
A man on parole was reportedly arrested last week for allegedly threatening a grocery store store employee and attempting to evade police in Palo Alto.
Police responded to the Whole Foods on Emerson Street on just before 1 PM on Wednesday, August 3, for a report of a disturbance. A man — later identified as 32-year-old Luis Enrique Cruz — had allegedly threatened and tried to assault a store employee, but fled the store prior to police arriving.
Officers caught up with Cruz on foot just minutes later at High Street and Channing Avenue, at which point he challenged officers to fight him. As more officers began to arrive, Cruz fled on foot, police said.
The foot pursuit continued through the Palo Alto Unified School district vehicle facility, with Cruz reportedly hopping walls in and out. Eventually officers surrounded him on the bike path behind Palo Alto High School and were able to arrest him without further incident.
Cruz was booked at the Santa Clara County jail on suspicion of criminal threats, assault, and resisting arrest. He is also charged with parole violation, according to police.
