‘Phantom of the Opera’ masked burglar robs Palo Alto businesses

Palo Alto police are searching for a man who allegedly robbed four businesses and smashed their windows early Wednesday morning while wearing a “The Phantom of the Opera” mask.

The burglaries began at 2:13 a.m. when police received an alarm call at Vin Vino Wine at 437 California Ave. In addition to a smashed window, the cash register was missing.

Police found the same situation at 4:30 a.m. in SimpleBe Salon & Spa at 530A University Ave., at 5:30 a.m. in a Subway at 421 California Ave. and at 8:23 a.m. in Sushi House at 855 El Camino Real.

The suspect was wearing a white “The Phantom of the Opera” mask covering only half of his face during the burglaries, but was captured on camera without his mask outside the burglarized Subway.

Officers believe all four burglaries happened from 2-3 a.m. Anyone with information is asked to call police at (650) 329-2413.