PALO ALTO, Calif. — A man charged with felony robbery in connection with the alleged theft of $20 worth of food from a Whole Foods hot bar was released on his own recognizance Thursday after a judge determined he did not pose a danger to the public, despite the serious nature of the charge.
At an arraignment hearing at the Palo Alto Superior Courthouse, Judge Karen Wynholds ordered the accused released after Deputy Public Defender Evan Hopkins argued the alleged offense was nonviolent and that the accused did not present a risk to public safety.
The accused is charged with robbery, an offense for which release is not often granted because of the ordinarily violent nature of the crime. Robbery involves taking property through the use of force or fear…