The State - News from May 12, 1988

Famed cartoonist Charles Schulz, whose Peanuts comic strip is one of the most popular in history, reportedly escaped a kidnaping or robbery attempt in his hillside home in Santa Rosa on Sunday, then worked a deal with the police to keep the incident quiet. Schulz reportedly was confronted by two armed intruders about 10 p.m. Sunday. According to neighbors, Schulz’ daughter, Jill, observed something wrong as she was returning home and phoned authorities. When Sonoma County sheriff’s deputies arrived, the intruders fled into surrounding hills and slipped through a manhunt that included helicopters employing searchlights. Undersheriff Dale Moore said investigators “have no real good, solid information.” He emphatically added, “We are not talking about it,” explaining that Schulz’ wish for privacy outweighed any benefits resulting from making public details of the incident.