"Eberle left work and drove to the Palo Alto police station, where he explained the situation. But there wasn't much the police could do about it." This is, IM

"Eberle left work and drove to the Palo Alto police station, where he explained the situation. But there wasn't much the police could do about it." This is, IMHO, the key part. Mr Eberle found himself in a situation that would result in criminal charges for the "attackers" if they could be found, but the police simply gives up.