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Stage set for RV crackdown
BY DANIEL SCHRAGER Daily Post Staff Writer
Palo Alto City Council has unanimously approved the first phase of a four-part plan to get RVs off of city streets.
Council wants vanlording ban
owners to move their vehicles more frequently or risk being towed.
“We have a sheer volume problem that we have to address,” Mayor Ed Lauing said during Monday’s meeting.
Council will also look to implement additional street cleaning to force RV
The first phase includes directing City Manager Ed Shikada to bring back a pair of bans to the council in the next four months, one making it illegal to rent out a public parking space for an RV, a practice known as ‘vanlording,’ and another banning detached trailers and inoperable RVs from city streets.
The proposal also aims to help people find safer and less disruptive places to park their RVs.
“Towing is one thing but towing is not a permanent thing… They come back,” Councilwoman Vicki Veenker
OPENAI LAUNCHES BROWSER:
OpenAI yesterday introduced its own web browser, ChatGPT Atlas, putting it in direct competition with Google. The new browser, launched on Apple laptops, aims to make ChatGPT a gateway to online searches. This move could increase OpenAI’s internet traffic and advertising revenue. CEO Sam Altman describes it as a chance to rethink browser use. Atlas will eventually be available on Windows, iOS and Android.
RANCHERS OPPOSE PLAN:
President Trump’s plan to cut record beef prices by importing more meat from Argentina is running into heated opposition from U.S. ranchers who are enjoying some rare profitable years and skepticism from experts who say the president’s move probably wouldn’t lead to cheaper prices at grocery stores.
KELCE GROUP EYES PARKS:
An investor group that includes Jana Partners and NFL player Travis Kelce says it has built up one of the largest ownership stakes in Six Flags Entertainment and plans to press the company’s leadership on ways to [See THE UPDATE, page 4]
said. Council plans to reach out to businesses and religious organizations with unused parking spots to see if they’re willing to house RVs.
Monday’s vote establishes a committee to evaluate whether or not parking laws are being enforced.
During public comment, residents expressed concern that offering more services and safe parking options
[See RV, page 18]
Sheriff election may be pricey
BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ
Post Staff Writer
It may cost San Mateo County
$3.2 million to hold a special election to fill the vacancy of fired sheriff Christina Corpus, the county attorney said.
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors has until Nov. 13 to decide on whether to appoint a new sheriff or hold an election after firing Corpus on Oct. 14 for various allegations, including having a conflict of interest, retaliation and false arrest.
Supervisor David Canepa said he would be interested in having a special election because of the “crisis” the sheriff’s office is in.
“This whole process has cost tens of millions of dollars. But I think if
[See SHERIFF, page 19]
Landlord ordered to pay for infestation
BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT Daily Post Staff Writer
The city of Mountain View has ordered a landlord to pay their tenant $28,353 for overcharged rent and an infestation of cockroaches and rats.
Gustavo Garcia, the tenant at 247 Andsbury Ave., told a hearing officer
that every night after his family turned out the lights in the kitchen, “hundreds of roaches” would come out and “flood the countertops.”
The landlords, Srinivas and Sridevi Satyavarpu, have appealed the city’s order to the city’s Rental Housing Committee. They’re arguing that they
tried to address the infestations and didn’t know about the city’s rent control ordinance.
The Rental Housing Committee will consider the appeal tomorrow night. Both sides testified and presented evidence on April 25 to attorney Renee
[See LANDLORD, page 18]
SAN MATEO COUNTY SUPERVISORS David Canepa and Jackie Speier both support an election to replace fired sheriff Christina Corpus. Post file photo by Adriana Hernandez.
Locally owned, independent
City to poll voters on Cubberley plan
BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT Daily Post Staff Writer
How much will voters be willing to pay to upgrade the Cubberley Community Center?
The answer to that question will determine how ambitious Palo Alto City Council is with its plans for the dilapidated but popular property at 4000 Middlefield Road.
“We want to be realistic, but we also want to dream,” Councilman Keith Reckdahl said. “Where along that spectrum are we? Because the bigger the project is, the more it can serve the community … But it will cost more.”
Pollster Miranda Everitt of FM3 research said she would ask potential voters whether they’d pay $250, $500 or $750 per year. The money would be collected through a bond, a parcel tax, a utility tax or a sales tax, according to her poll.
Councilman George Lu said he wants a progressive tax structure so the wealthier pay more.
“Whether it’s per parcel or per square foot or assessed value, that will obviously have different costs for different kinds of people,” he said.
Tax amount
A $250 tax would allow the city to purchase seven acres from the Palo Alto Unified School District and do minor renovations. A $500 tax would allow for a new recreation and wellness center, and a $750 tax would allow for a performing arts center, Everitt said in her presentation.
Councilwoman Julie Lythcott-Haims said she wants to ask voters if they’d pay a $1,250 tax. But Mayor Ed Lauing said he wouldn’t go over $1,000, calling it a “stunning number” per year.
City Manager Ed Shikada said his team would come up with another number to poll voters on that’s above $750. Lythcott-Haims suggested $999.
“You’re just trying to make me happy,” Lauing joked.
Councilman Greer Stone and Vice Mayor Vicki Veenker said the city should allow donors to name buildings at Cubberley as another way to raise money.
Councilman Pat Burt said he wants to be realistic, with a focus on 25 tenants that already have long-term leases at Cubberley.
“Money does matter,” Burt said. “We’re limited on how much the voters will support.”
Four polls planned
The second of four polls on Cubberley will go out to potential voters in mid-November, and council will review the results in December.
The poll will also ask voters if they’d support other projects: improving a downtown teen center, upgrading the Ventura Community Center, upgrading the Rinconada Pool and developing a two-acre park honoring Asian American history around the former Fry’s building.
A third poll will go out in February, and council will consider approving a master plan for the property in March.
The final poll will go out in April before council formally places a measure on the November 2026 ballot.
Property ownership
The city owns eight acres of the 35acre property that’s home to nonprofits, artists, athletics and youth programs.
The Palo Alto Unified School District owns the remaining 27 acres at the old high school and has leased most of the space to the city since 1989.
Council and the school board reached a long-awaited land deal in October 2024. The city agreed to buy seven acres from the district for $65.5 million, as long as voters approve the funding measure.
• Elegant Living Room with Fireplace
• Formal Dining Room with Built-in Cabinets
• Separate Family Room with Fireplace and Built-in Cabinets
• Kitchen with Breakfast Nook, Skylight, and Walk-in Pantry
• 5 Spacious Bedrooms
• 3.5 Bathrooms
• Primary Suite Retreat Features Double Sinks, Stall Shower, and Oversized Tub
• Interior Features Include Ample Natural Light, Laundry Room, and Designer Touches Throughout
• Lovely Landscaped 10,010± sf Lot
• Award Winning Oak Knoll School District
• Close to Downtown Menlo Park
Offered at $6,188,000
Buena Vista residents to be relocated
BY DANIEL SCHRAGER Daily Post Staff Writer
Most residents of Buena Vista Mobile Home Park in Palo Alto will be forced to move out of their homes for eight months while utility lines through the park are upgraded, according to the Santa Clara County Housing Authority.
The Housing Authority told residents of the Buena Vista Mobile Home Park they will have to move out by February as the complex’s utilities are renovated, according to Director of Real Estate Flaherty Ward.
The 49 households northeast of the complex’s parking lot – the side closer to El Camino Real – will be forced to
Will move out for months for utility work
relocate as construction is completed. The 14 households to the side of the parking lot closest to La Donna Avenue will be allowed to stay.
Worried about leaving homes
Residents said they’re concerned about having to leave their homes but excited about the upgraded utilities.
Resident Jose Cardenas, said he’s fine with the project as long as he’s able to return when it’s done.
“We’re just concerned about coming (back) safe after the project,” Cardenas said. “We’d like to have something
signed that we’re going to be able to come back.”
They’ll help pay
The Housing Authority says it will cover the costs of moving and rent during construction, which it estimates will take eight months. During that time, it will replace water, sewer, electric and gas infrastructure at the 4.5-acre complex, located at 3980 El Camino Real.
Buena Vista resident Amanda Serrano said she’s happy about the project since it will make her home more comfortable.
“I can’t wait to have a better place to live,” Serrano said about her house. “There’s water leaking everywhere. When it’s cold, it’s really cold in there. When it’s hot, it’s super hot in there.”
Serrano, who uses a wheelchair, said the Housing Authority is working with residents to make sure they’re relocated to places that meet their needs.
In September, the Housing Authority announced it was abandoning plans to redevelop the complex and instead opted to replace utility lines.
The Housing Authority received state funds for the project, which it will lose if it’s not completed by fall 2026, Ward said.
improve the struggling amusement park operator’s business. Jana announced yesterday the group now holds about a 9% economic interest in Six Flags. Following the news, shares in the Charlotte, North Carolina-based company surged 17.7%. Despite the rally, shares remain down about 47% this year.
WARNER BROS. BIDDING WAR: Warner Bros. Discovery — the home of HBO, CNN and DC Studios — has signaled that it may be open to selling all or parts of its business, just months after announcing plans to split into two companies. In an announcement yesterday, the entertainment and media giant said it had initiated a review of “strategic alternatives” in light of “unsolicited interest” it had received from multiple parties for both the entire company and Warner Bros. specifically.
CHESS GRANDMASTER DIES: A chess grandmaster who started as a child prodigy in Foster City and quickly became one of the most influential American voices in the sport has died at age 29. Daniel Naroditsky became a grandmaster at the age of 18. That’s the highest title in chess aside from World Champion. The Charlotte Chess Center in North Carolina announced Naroditsky’s death Monday on social media. The cause of death was not immediately known.
BALLOON CAUSES EMERGENCY: A United Airlines emergency landing appears to have been the result of a collision with a weather balloon over Utah. Layers of the aircraft’s windshield fractured during the flight last week.
CARD GAME VS SPACEX: SpaceX has settled a lawsuit filed by the maker of the popular party game Cards Against Humanity over accusations that Elon Musk’s rocket company trespassed and damaged a plot of land the card company owns in Texas.
Dave Price, Jim Pavelich
Editor: Dave Price
Managing Editor: Emily Mibach
General Manager: Brandon Heinrichs
Distribution: Amando Mendoza III
Account Executives: Lauren Latterell, Winnie Reyes and Mike Ireland
Letters: Limit to 250 words. Author’s full name, address and phone number are required. See policy at padailypost.com under “letters.”
Stories without bylines are often from The Associated Press, Bay City News service or the Post staff.
Legal notices: The Superior Court of Santa Clara County has adjudicated the Daily Post as a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Palo Alto and the County of Santa Clara, and we’re qualified to publish legal notices such as Fictitious Business Name Statements (FBNs) and legal name changes. For
Deaths
San Mateo County Coroner’s Office:
Oct. 20
Andrew Ward Nourse, 73, of Woodside
Joan Susan Constantino, 76, of Burlingame
Hadi Pranoto, 85, no hometown listed
Oct. 19
Niles Tilenius, 22, no hometown listed
Debra Coppola-Gordon, 73, of Millbrae
Oct. 18
Qi Chen, 89, of San Francisco
Barbara Kavanaugh, 96, of Belmont
Santa Clara County Medical Examiner’s Office:
Oct. 8
Janis Ford, 79, of Palo Alto
Michael Hernandez, 76, of Sunnyvale
Jaegil Cha, 83, of Palo Alto
Oct. 6
Peter Varga, 82, of Redwood City
Richard Luthy, 80, of Stanford
Thurman Smith, 96, of Mountain View
Oct. 5
Susan Grimes, 80, of Mountain View
Oct. 4
Brianna Johnson, 34, of Menlo Park
Marcelina Velasco-Demorales, 66, of Redwood City
Gary Baker, 83, of Hillsborough
Oct. 3
Stanson Vee, 38, of Sunnyvale
Timothy Dolly, 77, of Sunnyvale
Kenneth Symons, 78, of Mountain View
Oct. 2
Rene Caraballo, 64, of Daly City
Oct. 1
Richard Fletcher, 93, of Daly City
Births
El Camino Hospital in Mountain View:
April 8
Ajooni Ahuja, a girl
Abel Yejun Bui, a boy
Matteo Chavez Rocha, a boy
Lia Celeste Fonseca Suarez, a girl
Emiliano Garcia, a boy
Juniper Claire Jennings, a girl
Mason Lennox Lee, a boy
Avanika Mehta, a girl
Alma Sofia Shmelzer, a girl
Hiranmayi Srivatsan, a girl
Clara Illyana Jinx Storm, a girl
Taeha Yang, a boy
April 7
Ellie Isabella Franco, a girl
Madisen Joy Harada, a girl
Ashlyn Marie Macevicz, a girl
Ivanna Rene Maldonado Ramirez, a girl
Maya V. Nath, a girl
Kavya Chenyan Sahai, a girl
Anya Weng, a girl
Henry Zhang, a boy
Filtered cigarette ban eyed by supe
BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ Daily Post Staff Writer
San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa is eying a ban on filtered cigarettes.
Canepa said during yesterday’s board meeting that he is looking to have a ban similar to Santa Cruz County, which was the first to go into effect in the world.
Canepa is looking at Santa Cruz’s ban and seeing how he can include businesses in the conversation, Canepa said.
“We wanted to hear from all stakeholders involved,” Canepa said.
Other supervisors weigh in
Supervisor Jackie Speier said the ban could affect people who smoke filtered cigarettes, forcing them to smoke unfiltered cigarettes. Speier said she had a lot of unanswered questions, and it would be important to see how the ban impacts those who do smoke filtered cigarettes.
Supervisor Ray Mueller said he was also looking into a ban, but instead was considering a fee that could be given to retailers for the sale of filtered cigarettes.
Canepa said he would reach out to
Dia de los Muertos Celebration
November 1st & 2nd • 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
It’s time to honor our beloved departed and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Dia de los Muertos!
Join us for a vibrant and heartfelt Dia de los Muertos Celebration, where we come together to remember, rejoice, and honor the lives of our loved ones who have passed on.
potentially work with Mueller to bring an item for the board to consider.
Canepa plans to reach out to small businesses, vape shops, and smoke shops during the early stages of forming a ban in unincorporated San Mateo County.
Health, litter concerns
Filtered cigarettes have negative effects on people’s health, even though they are less bad for your health than unfiltered cigarettes, Canepa said.
Cigarette buds are the most littered item in the county and are a hazard to children and animals, he said.
“The bottom line is we know that cigarettes just aren’t good for you. They are just bad. I’m going to try to do everything to make sure that they can’t get into the hands of others and be sold,” Canepa said.
The county is in the early stages of researching the ban and still has a long way to go before presenting something to the board, according to Canepa.
Santa Cruz ban
Santa Cruz voted in October 2024 to ban filtered cigarettes starting Jan. 1, 2027, in unincorporated areas and the cities of Santa Cruz and Capitola.
Bring the family to enjoy:
• Music
• Food
• Prizes
• Face Painting • and more!
Let’s come together as a community to honor our ancestors, celebrate the circle of life, and keep our cherished traditions alive. This Dia de los Muertos Celebration promises to be a deeply meaningful and special experience for all.
¡Nos vemos allí!
Preserve Traditions and Protect Your Family’s Future
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Parking fight advances
BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ Daily Post Staff Writer
It’s now up to Menlo Park City Council to decide how to proceed after the county elections office determined that a group of residents, downtown merchants and landlords, gathered enough signatures to put an initiative opposing the city’s plan to replace parking with housing on the ballot.
The group, called Save Downtown Menlo, collected over 3,000 signatures, and Chief Elections Officer Mark Church found that 2,200 of the 2,760 signatures his office examined were valid.
Council will meet on Nov. 4 to decide whether to put the initiative on the November 2026 ballot or hold a special election before then, according to city spokeswoman Kendra Calvert. It could also accept the initiative and pass it as city law without a vote, Calvert said.
Potential legal action
Council can also reject the initiative, which could lead to the group taking legal action, Mayor Drew Combs wrote in his newsletter. There could also be another pro-housing organization that could seek legal action to prohib-
it the initiative from being on the ballot, Combs wrote.
The ballot initiative comes after the group filed a lawsuit against the city on April 14, but it was placed on hold. The group says it could bring it back in the future once the city clarifies its final action on the parking lots.
Council voted to issue a “Request for Qualifications,” or RFQ, on Jan. 29 for any developers to submit their ideas for the lots.
Council selected six developers to come back with more developed ideas and they have until Dec. 25 to submit proposals.
MovieNight
In celebration and honor of caregivers, we will be watching a special viewing of the PBS Documentary.
MovieNight
CAREGIVING
In celebration and honor of caregivers, we will be watching a special viewing of the PBS Documentary.
CAREGIVING
Thursday, November 6th
From 4:30pm - 7:00pm
Join us if you’re a family caregiver, future care provider, working with senior living professionals, or a neighbor. Enjoy complimentary pre-movie treats at 4:30pm, as well as intermission snacks. The screening will begin at 5:00pm. Seating is limited and RSVPs by November 3 to: rd Molly: mjohnson@firstlighthomecare.com or
Thursday, November 6th From 4:30pm - 7:00pm
Join us if you’re a family caregiver, future care provider, working with senior living professionals, or a neighbor. Enjoy complimentary pre-movie treats at 4:30pm, as well as intermission snacks. The screening will begin at 5:00pm. Seating is limited and RSVPs by November 3 to: rd Molly: mjohnson@firstlighthomecare.com or Eleanor: elanuza@wqliving.com
Brainin Law Office, Farmers Insurance, First Light Home Care, New York Life, The Real Estate Experts, and Palo Alto Commons are joining together to host this event for a special evening of respite and recognition of caregivers.
RSVP @ 650-320-8626
4041 El Camino
PaloAltoCommons.com
RCFE #435202819
Family seeks pay for inmate death
BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ Daily Post Staff Writer
A family is asking San Mateo County to pay for the funeral of an inmate convicted in the drag-racing deaths of a San Carlos couple.
Gary and Susan Harrison’s attorney, Jamie Goldstein, filed a claim on Sept. 11 for over $10 million in damages for the death of Kyle Harrison, who died after being given the wrong medication.
Harrison, 25, of Redwood City, is one of the seven county jail inmates to die during the watch of former county Sheriff Christina Corpus, who was fired for various allegations of misconduct.
Harrison’s parents asked the county to pay for the lack of medical care, negligent supervision and the shortage of employees at the jail.
The Board of Supervisors rejected the claim yesterday during its meeting.
Drug mix-up
Harrison was prescribed an antidepressant and medication used to treat epilepsy, but was mistakenly given methadone, an opioid, causing his death.
Deputy Sheriff Trainee Maxwell Rauenbuehler, who had not received training on handling deaths, was working overtime on March 15 when another inmate asked him to check on Harri-
son, according to a report by Inspector Ken Cochran.
Rauenbuehler had only been on the job for a month and had no prior experience working in jails, according to the report.
When Rauenbuehler opened the door, inmates told him Harrison wasn’t breathing, the report said. Harrison was covered with a blanket, and when Rauenbuehler removed it, he saw his lips were purple, the report stated.
Rauenbuehler ran downstairs to get Narcan, the drug that reverses an opioid overdose. As he ran downstairs, he put out a “Code Blue” alert on the radio and came back with two doses of Narcan, but Harrison did not react, according to the report.
Rauenbuehler told Cochran that he wasn’t sure if the code he sent out had been transmitted over the radio, the report stated.
Rauenbuehler did not attempt CPR because he wasn’t trained to do so, according to the report.
Damages sought
Harrison’s parents are asking for the county to pay for attorney’s fees, medical bills, financial support, funeral and burial expenses, loss of love and more.
The computation of damages is based on the loss that Harrison’s parents will experience for the remainder of their lives, the claim states.
HARRISON
A trio of new talent at Left Bank is bringing a new infusion of joie de vivre to the downtown Menlo Park bistro.
the best of the BAY AREA
A new joie de vivre at Left Bank in Menlo Park
General manager Kyle Murrell just came on board in August and has been busy building community connections and taking their top-notch service to the next level. At the same time, Left Bank recruited acclaimed chef Ed Witt to revamp menus across the restaurant group (with Menlo Park as his test kitchen), and in September Jonathan Toste (formerly of Flowers in downtown Saratoga) took the helm as executive chef. The reviews are in – and they’re glowing. From their famous French onion soup and salad Nicoise with ahi to the duck confit, the new menu keeps the classics everyone loves but has elevated some of the ingredients, with an emphasis on premium local purveyors like Flannery Beef of San Rafael and Liberty Ducks in Sonoma County. The beef Bourguignon is now made with Wagyu beef cheeks and the new bistro burger features a Flannery dry-aged patty complemented by caramelized onions, Gruyère and tomato. The cocktail list has also gotten a shake-up,
offering new takes on old classics, like the Black Gold Sazerac (Black Mission infused Rye with vanilla bean Pastis) and the Passionate Sunset (Blanco Tequila, passionfruit, Aperol).
For Murrell, who grew up in Menlo Park, returning to Left Bank is a homecoming.
Eighteen years ago, he decided to leave his tech career and move into hospitality –and got his start behind the bar at Left Bank.
“Every day I’m here, I see people I know, some whom I’ve known all my life,” he said.
His biggest goal is for the restaurant to resume a more active role in the community, helping local organizations, taking part in Santa Cruz Avenue’s Halloween festivities and putting on more events.
To that end, he’s excited to debut new offerings next
month, including jazz brunches every Sunday (starting Nov. 9) and DJ and live music offerings on Friday evenings (starting Nov. 7). The Friday night music will take place in the restaurant’s upstairs room, with cocktails and appetizers available.
The room, which looks out over the spacious, airy restaurant is also the perfect spot for private events, from birthdays and bridal showers to corporate cocktail hours.
A mainstay of the downtown since it opened in 1998, Left Bank is continually evolving, but it remains devoted to offering diners the Bohemian charm and culinary delights of a French brasserie.
“From the art to the wine to the food, you feel like you’ve walked into a little piece of Paris,” said Murrell. For a look at the new menu and to make reservations, go to leftbank.com. And if you’re looking to enjoy an easy but elegant feast out this Thanksgiving, make your reservations now for their special prix-fixe dinner menu.
LEFT BANK
635 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park (650) 473-6543 • leftbank.com
Gold: Your Best Insurance
USA 1 - OZ.
Trade Wars and Currency Wars are accelerating worldwide.
The old monetary system is failing. Indebted national currencies are depreciating in a see-saw race to the bottom. So much worldwide debt is in default or is being masked with more debt. Politicians posture at each other, but they all created the situation by buying power and favors while mortgaging your children’s future.
Stocks and bond markets, long supported by Central Banks, may be challenged going forward as governments have exhausted their debt expansion tools. Recent new highs in equities, due some promising companies, may be more post-election hope than substance.
Cryptocurrencies had their run, but the hope for a sounder and more private fiat system remains challenged while a past price bubble for the majority has been costly. Bitcoin is an example of those still performing among the thousands of currencies & tokens in this young experiment.
Wise and calm observers know that longterm, gold is money, not debt, not paper promises. For thousands of years it has protected families from currency depreciation, paper defaults, and certain political abuses.
If you have been waiting to buy gold, or buy it “cheaper,” reconsider. Gold bottomed near $1040 at the end of 2015. We are in a new multi-year uptrend reconfirmed by the current strength just below all time highs. Monetary scientists understand that the repricing of gold is just getting started. Each crisis seems to become more pronounced as the debt monetary system disintegrates towards failure. Gold is best accumulated, not speculated. Start saving in gold, and make it a habit.
Come visit Mish International and find out what probabilities lie ahead for gold and related commodities. Learn why gold must be a necessary part of your assets. Since 1964, the wisest advice and best prices for gold & silver are right here in Menlo Park.
Kyle Murrell
How to cut down tossing out food
Wasted food is a financial and environmental bummer.
It costs U.S. consumers $728 every year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, and emits the annual equivalent planet-warming greenhouse gases of 42 coal-fired power plants.
Carleigh Bodrug, a cookbook author, said she was surprised to learn that homes, rather than restaurants and grocery stores, account for the largest share of food that goes in the garbage — about 35% in 2023, according to ReFed, a nonprofit that seeks to reduce food waste.
“And it’s just because we’re so busy, we’re not utilizing the food that we actually buy,” she said.
Start before you shop
Bodrug wasn’t always keen on reducing food waste. She recalls going to the grocery store each week, buying a bag of oats and then discovering when she got home that she already had three half-eaten bags in the pantry.
Her first solution: Make a list. Write down the plan for the week, then check
the fridge and the pantry to see what’s already there before heading to the store. The list prevents duplicates — and it can also cut down on impulse buys.
Store that food properly
If your food lasts longer in the fridge, it’s got a better shot at getting eaten.
Bodrug said leafy greens stored with a paper towel or cloth that absorbs moisture will stay dry and wilt less quickly. Herbs and things with stems can be set in a jar of water, like a bouquet, to stay fresh longer.
Another solution is to use the freezer liberally — and commit to emptying it.
Rethink what’s actually waste
Adam Kaye, co-founder and chief culinary officer at Spare Food Co., Kaye said people likely throw away even more food than gets counted. That’s because things like the stalks, stems and ribs of a lot of produce “are perfectly edible,” he said.
When he’s cooking with parsley and cilantro, he chops up the stems and throws them in, too.
Mysterious skin growth?
Times shown are when a report was made to police. Information is from police logs. All those named here are innocent until proven guilty in court.
PALO ALTO
OCT. 6
9:10 p.m. — Vandalism, 300 block of Sherman Ave.
OCT. 8
5:27 p.m. — Vehicle accident involving a cyclist, Middlefield Road and Seale Ave.
OCT. 10
1:56 p.m. — Battery, Stanford Hospital.
OCT. 14
11:51 a.m. — Auto burglary, 200 block of California Ave.
12:02 p.m. — Auto burglary, 4200 block of El Camino.
12:50 p.m. — Parts and/or accessories stolen from a vehicle, 200 block of Hawthorne Ave.
4:06 p.m. — Auto burglary, 200 block of California Ave.
4:10 p.m. — Sebastian C. Carvajal Lopez, 20, of San Jose, arrested for shoplifting, Stanford Shopping Center.
9:59 p.m. — Auto burglary, 300 block of California Ave.
10:58 p.m. — Petty theft, Downtown Palo Alto Caltrain Station.
OCT. 15
9:16 a.m. — Scam, 400 block of Monroe Drive.
11 p.m. — Auto burglary, 100 block of California Ave.
THURSDAY
1:27 a.m. — Auto burglary, Stanford Shopping Center.
8:35 a.m. — Threats, 300 block of Page Mill Road.
9:15 a.m. — Vehicle accident involving a cyclist, Park Blvd. and W. Meadow Drive.
10:09 a.m. — Vehicle stolen, 1000 block of Colorado Ave.
4:02 p.m. — Auto burglary, 2500 block of Ash St.
10:18 p.m. — Dominica Yasmin Qajar Wambold, 32, of New York, arrested for DUI, University Ave. and Emerson St.
STANFORD
OCT. 12
11:51 a.m. — Battery, 400 block of Jane Stanford Way.
Noon Auto burglary, 400 block of Lagunita Drive.
MENLO PARK
MONDAY
8:21 a.m. — Bicycle stolen, 100 block of Oak Court.
8:41 a.m. — Petty theft, 500 block of El Camino.
11:02 a.m. — Ronald Talley, 35, transient, arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, 800 block of El Camino.
12:38 p.m. — Alfredo Quelmonzon, 23, transient, arrested for trespassing on transit property, possession of drug paraphernalia and on three warrants, 100 block of Jefferson Drive.
12:40 p.m. — Vehicle collision causes injuries, 1300 block of El Camino.
2:30 p.m. — Vehicle collision causes injuries, El Camino and Oak Grove Ave.
3:45 p.m. — Fraud, 700 block of Santa Cruz Ave.
6:17 p.m. — Petty theft, 1800 block of Oak Knoll Lane.
MOUNTAIN VIEW
OCT. 12
12:20 a.m. — Yesenia Hernandez Garcia, 33, of Mountain View, arrested for domestic violence, 400 block of Del Medio Ave.
3:25 a.m. — Jose Rubio Alvarez, 38, arrested for DUI, driving with a suspended or revoked license and driving without valid vehicle registration, Villa St. and Pettis Ave.
1:06 p.m. — Vandalism, Villa St. and Pettis Ave.
6:03 p.m. — Leonardo Lima Flores, 25, of San Jose, arrested on warrants and for falsely identifying himself to police, 100 block of E. El Camino.
8:25 p.m. — Auto burglary, 100 block of Hope St.
8:55 p.m. — Auto burglary, 300 block of Hope St.
10:01 p.m. — Grand theft, 1700 block of W. El Camino.
10:09 p.m. — Dawn Winap, 54, of San Jose, arrested for public drunkenness, 2300 block of California St.
OCT. 13
4:04 a.m. — Burglary at Valero, 584 N. Rengstorff Ave. Jamal Jordan, 43, arrested for burglary and vandalism, Rengstorff Ave. and San Ramon St.
8:07 a.m. — Burglary at a business, 200 block of Escuela Ave.
8:29 a.m. — Ernest Trujillo, 50, arrested for possession of burglary tools and drug paraphernalia, 2600 block of Fayette Drive.
8:59 a.m. — Auto burglary, 1500 block of Ernestine Lane.
LOS ALTOS
FRIDAY
6:57 p.m. — Tyler Cox, 56, of Saratoga, arrested for DUI, Fourth St. and Plaza North.
ATHERTON
FRIDAY
2:04 p.m. — Fraud, 100 block of Tuscaloosa Ave.
SUNDAY
4:56 p.m. — Hugo Menchu Barrios, 54, of San Mateo, cited on a
warrant, El Camino and Lloyden Drive.
NORTH FAIR OAKS
FRIDAY
8:14 a.m. — Javier Montanez Rangel, 40, of Redwood City, arrested on a warrant, 3600 block of Middlefield Road.
REDWOOD CITY
OCT. 15
2:06 p.m. — Someone fraudulently places two Costco orders on a victim’s credit card and also tries to withdraw nearly $7,000 using the card, 200 block of Nimitz Ave. The victim is able to cancel the orders and attempted transaction and does not suffer a loss.
FRIDAY
1:19 a.m. — Bryan Ismael Mendez, 32, of Redwood City, cited for possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia, Bay and Woodside roads. Citation given by San Mateo County sheriff’s deputies.
5 a.m. — Araceli Santiago Gonzalez, 35, of Redwood City, arrested for possession of meth for sale, possession of drug paraphernalia, trying to destroy or conceal evidence and on several warrants, Chew and Spruce streets. Arrest made by San Mateo County sheriff’s deputies.
9:03 a.m. — Vehicle vandalized, Hastings Shore Lane.
9:32 a.m. — Man screaming racial slurs, Charter St. 11:03 a.m. — Yonatan Saavedra Reynaga, 22, of Redwood City, arrested for domestic battery, 3100 block of Page St.
12:24 p.m. — Resident says he saw a man stealing items from his porch and from his toolbox in the back of his vehicle, D St.
2:05 p.m. — Luz Milena Pineda Cristancho, 51, of Redwood City, cited for shoplifting, 2400 block of El Camino.
11:06 p.m. — Hienvuong Gia Le, 31, of Redwood City, cited for narcotics possession, Rolison Road and Fifth Ave.
SAN CARLOS
OCT. 14
4 p.m. — License plate stolen from a vehicle, 500 block of Quarry Road.
OCT. 15
Time not given — Vehicle stolen from an auto mechanic shop, 200 block of Old County Road.
12:49 p.m. — Javier Santana Esparza, 43, of Menlo Park, cited for driving with a suspended or revoked license, 800 block of Brittan Ave.
FRIDAY
11:21 a.m. — Matthew Thomas Knorpp, 37, of San Carlos, arrested for violation
of a court order and probation violation, 100 block of Michael Court.
BELMONT
SATURDAY
8:14 p.m. — Alejandro Alvarez Zamora, 27, arrested for driving with a suspended or revoked license, 800 block of Emmett Ave.
9:39 p.m. — Justin Dylan Gonsalves, 52, cited for petty theft after allegedly stealing laundry detergent from a store, 900 block of El Camino.
SUNDAY
9:59 a.m. — Man and two women steal a necklace from a woman, Old County Road.
1:19 p.m. — Three propane tanks stolen, Harbor Blvd.
5:52 p.m. — Vehicle hits a pedestrian, causing minor injuries, Ralston Ave. and Coronet Blvd.
MONDAY
2:29 p.m. — Man steals groceries from a store, El Camino.
CHP
From the Redwood City office of the CHP, which covers the MidPeninsula.
OCT. 6
Cristhiam C. Penaloza Ariza, 38, arrested for DUI.
OCT. 7
Nicolas Ramirez Calmo, 38, arrested for DUI.
News coverage
The Post won national awards for its coverage of the:
• controversy surrounding San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus
• the opioid crisis
• the slow release of after-action reports on the Covid outbreak
• coverage of a massive fire that destroyed a housing development in North Fair Oaks
Advertising
The Post’s advertising and graphics staff won first place national awards for:
• Best Advertising Idea
• Best Public Notice Section
• Best Real Estate Ad • Best Restaurant Ad • Best Use of Color
• Best Small-Page Ad
• Best Series Ad Using Color
PALO ALTO
410 Sheridan Ave. #330, 94306, 1 bedroom, 804 square feet, built in 1977, Nemet Living Trust to Mary Wrightson for $992,000, closed Sept. 22 (last sale: $880,000, 05-14-21)
3477 South Court, 94306, 3 bedrooms, 1119 square feet, built in 1949, Wen-Ling Wu to Annie and Chris Lin for $1,340,000, closed Sept. 25 (last sale: $536,000, 10-24-21)
MENLO PARK
165 East O’Keefe St. #17, 94025, 2 bedrooms, 1182 square feet, built in 1983, Roy Neil to Victorina Atienza for $712,500, closed Sept. 5 (last sale: $124,000, 0601-88)
MOUNTAIN VIEW
50 East Middlefield Road #40, 94043, 1 bedroom, 837 square feet, built in 1970, Xinh Huynh to Joy and Kevin Haas for $520,000, closed Sept. 25 (last sale: $260,000, 06-20-01)
2255 Showers Drive #421, 94040, 1 bedroom, 769 square feet, built in 1999, Patwardhan Family Trust to Zhang and Chen Family Trust for $655,000, closed Sept. 25 (last sale: $752,000, 06-03-16)
LOS ALTOS
147 Fremont Ave., 94022, 3 bedrooms, 1525 square feet, built in 1998, Lixing Huang to Yunna and Sergey Bylokhov for $1,975,000, closed Sept. 26 (last sale: $1,540,000, 11-11-16)
REDWOOD CITY
1422 West Selby Lane, 94061, 3 bedrooms, 1990 square feet, built in 1957, Kim and Marc Klingelhofer to Michael and Lauren O’Brien for $2,200,000, closed Aug. 26
449 Grand St., 94062, 3 bedrooms, 2390 square feet, built in 1932, Acreman Family Trust to Allison and Timothy Sudiacal for $3,000,000, closed Aug. 26 (last sale: $550,000, 06-24-99)
SAN CARLOS
2084 San Carlos Ave., 94070, 2 bedrooms, 1020 square feet, built in 1947, Brendan and Catherine Williams to Ashita and Varun Mathew for $2,020,000, closed Aug. 25 (last sale: $1,290,000, 10-02-20)
SPEND A THRILLING HALLOWEEN
EVENING at The Ameswell Hotel with Midnight at the Masquerade, an interactive Murder Mystery dinner in our Apollo Pavilion on the event lawn. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Arrive in costume or your best
Join Global Conservation for a fascinating evening with heroes in planet protection working throughout Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Thursday, Nov. 6th from 6:30 to 11:00 p.m. at the Guild Theatre in Menlo Park. Distinguished speakers include Dr. Greg Asner, Dr. Dadang Mujiono and Michael Kigwin. Shown in the photo is Notorious, the evening’s featured band. Please RSVP to Kelsey Tatum at ktatum@ globalconservation.org or call (810) 542-0913.
Venetian mask and step into a world of glamour, secrets, and suspense. Enjoy a chef-curated threecourse meal and themed cocktails as you unravel the mystery. It’s the perfect way to kick off your Halloween night before heading out to the city. rogerbarandrestaurant.com/halloween/
include custom upholstery, case goods, and specialty accessories. They also partner with independent designers, offering exclusive lines and knowledgeable support. With affordable onsite consultations, free in-store design services, and staging for your home or open houses, they bring quality, function, and a true sense of home to life. Their beautiful, livable spaces reflect their commitment to comfort, creativity, and helping clients realize their dream spaces. Please drop by and visit soon at 1300 El Camino Real, Belmont CA 94002.
PORCHETTA NIGHT AT ITALICO IS back by popular demand. Enjoy their signature slow-roasted porchetta, great wine, and live music on Saturday, Nov. 22, starting at 5:30 p.m. Book now before it’s too late! Call (650) 473-9616 to reserve your spot.
CALIFORNIA INTERIORS & DESIGN IS one of the Bay Area’s most sought-after interior design teams. They’ve been in business for almost 27 years. With expert in-house designers, they support all areas of the design industry. Their services
COZY, CLASSIC, FRENCH THE OLDFASHIONED WAY. It’s old-school but not outmoded, with an exacting code of beliefs that owner/chef Jean-Micel Peuvrelle has carried with him throughout his life. Now in his 36th year at Le Petit Bistro, Peuvrelle still cooks the old-
fashioned way Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Reserve a table at (650) 964-3321, and get a free glass of house wine with your entree purchase. LePetit Bistro is located at 1405 West El Camino Real, Mountain View.
SINCE 1973 CANYON INN HAS been a neighborhood gathering spot for birthdays, events, team parties, or just a fun place for a burger and a beer. If you need a break from cooking and you like good burgers, head over to 587 Canyon Road in Redwood City. It has a great atmosphere, including old 49ers memorabilia that will take you back to your childhood. For more information, please call (650) 369-1646. Shown in the photo are Tim and Stephanie Harrison’s children, Alicia and Timmy.
General Manager Kyle Murrell, a Menlo Park native, has returned to his roots, while acclaimed Chef Ed Witt refreshes menus across the group, and Executive Chef Jonathan Toste adds his culinary flair. Expect Wagyu beef Bourguignon, a refined bistro burger, and reimagined cocktails. With
jazz brunches and Friday night music coming in November, Left Bank is buzzing with new joie de vivre. Located at 635 Santa Cruz Ave in Menlo Park.
LUDWIG’S
BIERGARTEN HAS BECOME
features hearty German favorites alongside creative vegan and vegetarian options, all crafted with care. General Manager Janina curates an exceptional beer selection straight from Southern Germany, complemented by cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks. Whether enjoying the sunny patio or festive events, Ludwig’s is where everyone feels at home. Located at 383 Castro Street in Mountain View.
KALOS, CO-FOUNDED BY HEALTH
NEED A LITTLE JOY IN YOUR LIFE? Could you use a little pampering? Have Lauryn seat you in one of the finest restaurants in the bay area. Sundance the Steakhouse specializes in prime rib lunches and dinners. They’ve been in business for over 50 years serving the hungry crowd from Palo Alto, Stanford and all up and down the peninsula. Steaks, seafood, chicken dishes and crisp salads just to name a few. Don’t miss the mud pie for dessert. Check the website and then call Lauryn at (650) 321 6798. Sundance the Steakhouse is located in Palo Alto at 1921 El Camino Real. Across from Stanford University.
A TRIO OF NEW TALENT is bringing fresh energy to Left Bank in downtown Menlo Park.
A place where food, drink, and connection come together. Under the ownership of Gisela, a former tech professional turned restaurateur, Ludwig’s menu
ENTHUSIAST Callum Parker, inspires people to take charge of their well-being. Their second location at 195 Forest Ave, Palo Alto, offers DEXA Scans— the most accurate way to measure fat, muscle, and bone density. In just six minutes, you’ll get detailed, data-driven insights. Unlike others, Kalos provides an in-person analysis and a personalized plan to help you build muscle, lose fat, or improve long-term health. The process takes only 30 minutes and is HSA/FSA eligible through TrueMed. Book at livekalos.com and use code “DAILYPOST” for 50% off your first scan.
Tails
Double Down on Lobster Tails!
RV –––––––
would encourage RV dwellers to move to the city.
“My greatest fear is that the proposal is the equivalent to putting up billboards up and down Highway 101, inviting people to move to Palo Alto where they will receive ‘enhanced services,’ street cleaning, sanitation, hygiene police and fire protection and all of the rest, best of all, at no cost. And by the way park wherever you want because we’re not going to be able to enforce it,” Barry K., speaking on behalf of a group of Ventura District residents, said.
Others expressed frustration with the slow enforcement of existing laws, especially on Embarcadero Road and Corporation Way, and the cost of the proposal. The four phases would cost over $7 million, over $4 million of which would go to putting up new parking signs around town with the additional restrictions, and take two years to complete.
“We already have the signage, it won’t work. It’s 200 times more expensive than our budget for towing,” a speaker who only identified himself as Noah F. said.
Frustrated by comments
Councilwoman Julie Lythcott-Haims expressed frustration that many of the 28 speakers dismissed the concerns of people living in RVs.
“I respect the valid concerns of business owners and residents who are impacted, and significantly so,” Lythcott-Haims said. “And, I am troubled by some comments that have an undertone of ‘poverty makes me feel uncomfortable and unsafe.’ People speak of ‘the problem’ as if we’re not talking about human beings.”
However, some speakers favored the proposal to offer additional services and safe parking, including Justin Harper, representing a group of people all living out of their RVs.
“It seems to be that there are enforcements and restrictions coming before the services that could actually help some of us get out from the situations that we are currently in,” Harper said. Harper expressed concerns that the safe parking sites would likely be far from Palo Alto’s businesses, making it difficult for RV dwellers to commute to work and save up for permanent housing.
420 homeless residents
Palo Alto has around 420 homeless residents, according to a survey done by Santa Clara County in January, 73% of whom live out of their vehicles.
That’s nearly twice the rate seen in the rest of Santa Clara County. The city has 120 RVs parked on the street with one or more people living inside, according to the survey, along with 29 cars and 19 vans.
“Our problem has festered and exploded,” Councilman Pat Burt said. “We’ve allowed it to get to a crisis point before we’ve begun to really take any significant actions to address it.”
Focus on clearing streets
Lauing said the city’s priority should be getting as many RVs off the street as quickly as possible.
He proposed changing the original proposal to add the provision that council reach out to businesses and religious
organizations with extra parking spaces. He also proposed creating the committee to ensure the enforcement of existing parking laws.
“Those two things could be the biggest tools we have right now, today, to start working on that would start to develop, in combination, some kind of scale,” Lauing said.
Lauing struck the street cleaning provisions from his proposal but Councilman Keith Reckdahl asked that they be added back in.
The first phase of the project is expected to cost $707,000.
Future phases
Monday’s vote was largely based on a proposal from the Policy and Services Committee that included three additional phases.
The second phase would explore limiting RV parking on certain streets, introducing RV permits and implementing a pilot program to provide sanitation services to people living in RVs. The third phase, the city would implement the pilot program and plan additional safe, off-street RV parking sites, while the fourth phase would see the remaining parts of the plan implemented.
LANDLORD
Glover Chantler, who works as a hearing officer for the city.
Garcia, joined by his wife Alma Camacho, said he moved into the apartment with his three children in April 2021. Cockroaches started invading their food a year later, so they had to buy dinnerware and utensils that could be covered, he said. The roaches also damaged the stove burners so only two of five worked, making cooking for the kids difficult, he said.
The rats started coming in through vents, windows and the chimney in early 2023 and chewed through wires so the fridge stopped working, Garcia said.
‘Wouldn’t let us sleep’ “They wouldn’t let us sleep,” he told Glover Chantler.
Garcia said he bought his own pest and rodent control products from Home Depot because the landlord wasn’t helping.
In response, Srinivas Satyavarpu told Glover Chantler that a supervisor at Clark Pest Control said the space between the countertop and stove wasn’t clean, and that’s why the roaches kept coming back. None of the other units had problems with roaches, Satyavarpu said.
Satyavarpu’s family trust bought the four-unit complex in July or August 2022.
Satyavarpu testified that he paid “a lot of money” for the property and has spent significant money on the mortgage, property taxes and remodeling.
Treated monthly
He said he hired Clark Pest Control after learning about the cockroach infestation, and the inside of Garcia’s unit was treated monthly.
The complex is right next to Willowgate Community Garden, and that’s probably where the rats came from, Satyavarpu said.
Satyavarpu told Glover Chantler that he was doing “all that was possible” to
keep the infestations under control. He said he didn’t know about Mountain View’s rent control ordinance, and that’s why he didn't register the unit with the city. The rent control ordinance limits rent increases to the inflationary rate or 5% per year, whichever is lower.
Satyavarpu admitted that he might have overlooked something in the disclosures because they were in “a big packet.”
Worth a 15% reduction
Glover Chantler said the rat infestation was worth a 15% reduction in rent, totaling $8,683 over 17 months.
On the cockroach infestation, she said Satyavarpu was 30% to blame and Garcia was 70% to blame.
Photos showed there was a buildup of food and grease on the side and top of the stove. Garcia should’ve cleaned better, but the mess wasn’t the sole cause of the infestation, Glover Chantler said in her Sept. 2 decision.
Glover Chantler reduced Garcia’s rent for the cockroach infestation by 4.2% going back 28 months, totaling $2,965.
Unregistered unit
Glover Chantler also found that Satyavarpu didn’t register the unit and then unlawfully raised Garcia’s rent from $2,500 to $3,150, violating the city’s rent control ordinance for the last three years.
Satyavarpu’s ignorance of the ordinance isn’t an excuse, she said.
The excessive rent charge added up to $16,705, Glover Chantler found. Altogether, her order means Garcia won’t pay Satyavarpu rent again until October 2026.
we’re bringing peace to a department that has gone through so much, it makes sense to me. Those would be dollars well spent considering the crisis we’re in,” Canepa said. “This is the cost of democracy.” Coun-
ty Attorney John Nibbelin said the board can hold a special election as soon as February or March, or wait until the June primary election.
Supervisor Lisa Gauthier said she was concerned that if the board were to hold a special election, there would not be enough time for candidates to prepare. Gauthier supported having a June 2026 election so it would be less rushed for candidates and the board.
Wanted unions to weigh in
Supervisor Noelia Corzo said she was interested in appointing a new sheriff after deciding not to share her stance publicly. Corzo said she did not want to share her stance without hearing from the unions representing sheriff’s deputies and sergeants.
“I am not willing to risk being in another situation that is making headlines for scandal(s),” Corzo said.
If the board moves forward with an election, the candidate with the highest number of votes will be sheriff for the remainder of the term, Chief Elections Officer Mark Church said.
Corzo said she did not want to risk having the next sheriff be open to collaborating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
Canepa considered appointing County Executive Mike Callagy to be sheriff, given Callagy’s 30 years working his way up the ranks in the San Mateo police department. Callagy said he was a sergeant, worked in narcotics and rose to become a captain.
Two jobs?
Supervisor Ray Mueller asked if Callagy could hold both positions. Canepa said he would be interested in having Callagy as an “overseer,” of the sheriff’s office, but it would be creating a position that doesn’t exist, Nibbelin said.
Mueller said he also saw Callagy becoming sheriff and appointing someone else to be the county executive. Mueller suggested appointing a sheriff and making them pre-sign a resignation before the June 2026 election.
Corzo said it would play into the lies residents have been told by Corpus and her supporters that Callagy
has been “secretly plotting to over take the sheriff’s office.” Corpus claimed that Callagy interfered with her office to undermine her authority as sheriff.
Speier wants June election
Supervisor Jackie Speier said she agrees with having a June election instead of the board appointing a new sheriff. Speier said she believes Measure A wouldn’t have passed if voters knew supervisors would appoint the next sheriff.
The special election in March has cost the county $4.4 million, and retired Judge LaDoris Cordell’s report that investigated HR complaints against Corpus cost approximately $200,000. The county has also covered Corpus’s legal fees, but has not disclosed how much it has spent.
The board will be holding a special meeting on Tuesday to listen to residents, deputies and unions on their thoughts on how supervisors should move forward.
Corpus’s attorneys will be in court tomorrow in front of Judge Nina Shapirshtyen to attempt to reinstate her as sheriff.
NEWS
6 years for robbery try
BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ Daily Post Staff Writer
A man who tried to rob a Redwood City bank in an attempt to get money to go home to Boston was sentenced to six years in prison after taking a plea deal, a prosecutor said.
Arthur Burton Gillespie, 66, of San Francisco, pleaded no contest on Monday to robbing a bank after passing a threatening note to a teller demanding money, District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.
Gillespie had been dropped off at a rehab center in San Francisco
by his probation officer on June 12 after he finished serving jail time for a probation violation, Wagstaffe said. During his time in jail, he was planning the robbery, Wagstaffe said.
Boston connection
Gillespie was in Boston when he violated his probation and was sent back to California, according to Wagstaffe. Gillespie said he tried to rob the bank to return to his family in Boston, Wagstaffe said.
After being dropped off by his
probation officer, Gillespie went to Redwood City into the Chase Bank at 2300 Broadway just before 2:30 p.m. He handed a note and a brown paper bag to the teller while his hand was in his pocket pretending to have a gun, the DA said.
The teller pressed a silent alarm, police said. The moment the teller gave Gillespie $500, police had arrived at the scene, Wagstaffe said. Gillespie said he felt like the $500 was a donation to him to go home, Wagstaffe said.
Gillespie left the bank voluntarily and was arrested, the DA said.
