[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of December 25, 2009. To be added to the station's mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org or visit their website.]

CAPTAIN RICHARD CORREIA’S MESSAGE
In the last newsletter I mentioned that Richmond Station Officers arrested six individuals in connection with three different robberies. One of the robberies involved suspects shooting a gun at the victim and the other two were “strong-arm” robberies.

All three of the suspects in the armed robbery have been formally charged by the District Attorney. Two remain in custody with bail for one set at $1,000,000 and the other at $150,000. The third suspect was charged and released after posting bail of $122,109.

In the strong arm robbery that occurred 17th Avenue and Clement on December 15, 2009, a juvenile suspect remains in custody at the Youth Guidance Center. The adult arrested in that incident was not charged as the victim was not able to make a positive identification. The inability to make identification is not uncommon, even when the victim gets a good look at the suspect. A victim’s emotional stress can be overwhelming, and items such as license plates and particulars about clothing are often quickly forgotten. Also, suspect do what they can to avoid identification, such as in this case they grabbed the victim from behind.

The sixteen year old suspect arrested for the strong arm robbery at 30th and Clement on December 15, 2009 was charged and released to relatives on December 22, 2009.

During the past week, there were 16 traffic accidents, 8 involving injuries. There were 5 citations issued for driving without a license or driving on a suspended license. There were 2 arrests for driving under the influence.

NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On 12/20/09 at 4:37 pm a burglary suspect with an outstanding warrant was seen by officers in the area of Sutter Street and Baker Street. The warrant was confirmed and the suspect was arrested and booked at the county jail.

On 12/21/09 at 2:25 am officers conducted a bar check in the 500 block of Clement Street and observed the bartender serving alcoholic beverages after hours. The premise was cited and the bartender was arrested for an outstanding warrant.

On 12/22/09 at 1:22 pm officers responded to the 300 block of 9th Avenue regarding a vandalism report. The suspect was apprehended on Clement Street and was arrested for vandalism.

On 12/22/09 at 11:51 pm officers observed a vehicle with an expired registration. A computer check revealed that the driver had been driving on a suspended driver’s license. The driver was placed under arrest and during a vehicle inventory search officers found narcotics and narcotics sales paraphernalia. The suspect was booked at Richmond Station.

NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
On 12/20/09 at 2:25 pm officers responded to the 600 block of 6th Avenue regarding a burglary from a locked garage. Four bicycles were stolen. A safety check on doors and windows revealed insufficient security locks were in place. Occupants were advised on how to improve home security.

On 12/20/09 at 8:25 am a victim reported that his Laundromat business located in the 3200 block of Sacramento had been broken into. The suspect gained entry by prying open the gate and after removing the lock from the door. The suspect then broke into the rear storage area, apparently looking to steal money from the coin change machine, but the machine was empty. There was no loss reported at this time.

On 12/21/09 at 10:15 pm officers responded to the 3200 block of Clay Street regarding a portable restroom that was on fire. Alert residents in the area extinguished the fire until SFFD arrived. SFPD Arson investigators responded to the scene and took over the investigation.

On 12/22/09 at 12:37 pm officers responded to the 3000 block of Jackson Street regarding a burglary report. The victim reported that her garage door was opened by an unknown suspect and stole two bicycles. No forced entry was observed.

On 12/24/09 at 5:50 am an unknown suspect armed with a silver handgun entered the Domino’s Pizza parlor located at 5220 Geary Boulevard and demanded two victims (janitor and delivery person) to open the safe but the victims did not have the code. The suspect then robbed the two victims prior to fleeing the area.

On 12/24/09 at 5:50 am two unknown masked suspects armed with silver automatic handguns entered the Walgreens Store located at 5280 Geary Boulevard. The suspects gained entry to a part of the safe and stole an undetermined amount of cash. The suspects also robbed the victims of their money and cell phones.

[This came in from the Friends of Mountain Lake Park. For the sake of privacy, I have withheld the victim's name. - Sarah B.]

December 30, 2009

We are writing to advise you of an attack on one of our neighbors last night (Tuesday December 29, 2009) at dinner time. A man pulled his car into his garage on 9th Avenue (btwn Lake and California) and was attacked by a suspect who hit him with something and then used his fists to take the man’s wallet and his watch. Thankfully there was no gun or knife.

The suspect fled towards Clement Street and was not caught. The police responded quickly and we will provide you more details (including a description of the suspect) as we get it. But we want to get this warning out right away. The man was treated for injuries at the hospital last night. He has numerous stitches and bruises in his face, his finger was broken and his wrist is injured from where the suspect took his watch. I’m sure he will appreciate everyone’s thoughts for a speedy recovery.

In the meantime – BE VIGILANT. Stay alert to who is nearby as you are coming and going from your home or your car.

• If you park in your garage, close the door immediately behind you when you come in.

• If you park on the street, try not to linger at your car as you get in or out, especially at night.

• Do not leave anything visible in your car that may entice someone to want to break in to your car.

• If you see someone lingering near your home or your neighbor’s home that you don’t think belongs there, call the police (911 or 553-0123).

As a kid, I used to take ski trips with a recreation group. My parents would drop me off at the meeting point, go about their weekend business, and pick me back up when the bus returned, sometimes in the wee hours of the night if the weather was bad.

It was a win-win – they didn’t have to make the eight hour roundtrip schlep, and I made some new friends along the way.

The tradition is alive and well with the Richmond District YMCA, who has been leading safe and affordable trips to Tahoe for over 10 years. They’re organizing ski and snowboard trips for young students in early 2010:

High School trip:
Thursday, January 28 – Sunday, January 31 | Cost: $275

Middle School trip:
Friday, February 19 – Sunday, February 21 | Cost: $250

The cost of the trip includes equipment, transportation, lift tickets, food, lodging, and instruction. What a bargain!

For more information or to sign-up, contact Crissie Ponciano at the Richmond District YMCA at 666-9622.

Sarah B.

Most of the time when you’re in a laundromat, waiting on your washer or dryer, you’re probably wishing you could be doing something more productive.

Enter Amybelle’s Wash & Dry (3220 Balboa) who is stepping up to try and make a difference during our employment-challenged times.

Owners Elmer and Amy Capule are inviting neighbors who need career advice or resume help to stop by the laundromat to get free help from Amy, who is a seasoned human resources professional.

“We will be hosting individual resume critiques and helping with interviewing skills. We believe this will be beneficial to the Richmond community especially during these challenging times,” says owner Elmer Capule.

Free help is available every Saturday from 10am to 12noon, beginning January 2. So if you’re in the job market or are thinking about getting back into it, stop by Amybelle’s Wash & Dry at 3220 Balboa for a helping hand.

For more information or to schedule a private session, contact Amy Capule at 341-7097 or by email.

Sarah B.

Here are some details on how to dispose of your Christmas tree this year:

- Trees can be put out for collection, free of charge, from January 4-8 and January 11-15.

- Please place clean unflocked trees next to your garbage cans on your regularly scheduled collection day (don’t leave them on the street corner!).

- Be sure to remove all tinsel, decorations, plastic bags, stands, and lights.

- If your tree is over 6 feet, please cut it in half.

- If your usual collection day is Friday, there will be no service on the 25th or the 1st; pickup will be on Saturday December 26 and January 2.

Sarah B.

[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of December 18, 2009. To be added to the station's mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org or visit their website.]

CAPTAIN RICHARD CORREIA’S MESSAGE
During the past week Richmond Station Officers arrested five individuals in connection with three different robberies. One of the robberies involved suspects shooting a gun at the victim and the other two were “strong-arm” robberies.

When officers are responding to the scene of a crime the police dispatcher often provides them with some description of the suspects and any vehicles that may be involved. The first police units to arrive at the scene of a crime quickly interview the victim(s) and then broadcast any additional information and the suspects’ direction of escape to near-by officers.

In each of these robbery cases our officers performed superbly and while searching the immediate areas located and arrested the felons who were leaving the area. The officers recovered stolen property, firearms and other evidence connecting the suspects to the robberies. Within moments of the commission of each crime our Station’s investigators responded to the scene and commenced a follow-up investigation.

The robbers apprehended in these cases face serious and provable charges because of the coordinated and professional efforts of the officers, supervisors and investigators assigned to Richmond Station. I will update you on the status of these robbery cases in our next newsletter.

During the past week, there were 23 traffic accidents, 4 involving injuries. There were 4 citations issued for driving without a license or driving on a suspended license. There were 4 arrests for driving under the influence.

NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On 12/12/09 at 1:17am a taxi cab driver had stopped on the 700 block of Arguello to pick up a fare. As he approached the residence, a vehicle stopped on the street and two male suspect exited and one asked the cab driver for directions. Suddenly one of the suspects pulled a gun out from underneath his shirt and pointed it at the cab driver while demanding money. The cab driver complied and the two males got back in the car and drove off, north on Arguello. The cab driver followed the suspect’s vehicle and one of the suspects fired a gun several times at the cab, missing the cab and driver. The driver had contacted his dispatcher, who in turn called 911. Officers located the suspect’s vehicle on Stanyan and JFK Drive, where they took two into custody. Two handguns were located in the vehicle. The two suspects, a 21 year old, and a 31 year old, both from Concord, were charged with robbery, and attempted murder.

On 12/12/09 at 5:40pm officers were sent to Geary & Spruce on a call of a male vandalizing a bus shelter. A description was provided and a plainclothes officer located the two suspects as they were walking east on Geary. One of the suspects had a chain with a padlock attached and was swinging it at parking meters, light poles and a bus shelter as they walked along. The suspects were detained and the two an 18 year olds and a 21 year old were charged with felony vandalism.

On 12/12/09 at 8:15pm officers were on patrol in the area of Presidio and Geary when they saw a male juvenile doing graffiti on the bus shelter across the street from them. The 15 year old was detained by the officers and charged with vandalism.

On 12/13/09 at 4:00am officers were patrolling the area of 29th Avenue and Fulton when they heard a car alarm sound. Upon checking the vehicle they saw that there was a broken window and a suspect lying on the back seat. The suspect was detained and the owner of the vehicle was contacted. The owner told the officers that when he parked the car at 12:30am all of the windows were intact. He also noted that the glove box had been rummaged through. The suspect, a 40 year old male was charged with auto burglary.

On 12/15/09 at 3:30pm a victim had just gotten out of school and was walking in the area of 30th Avenue and Clement. He noticed several high school students sitting nearby and continued on his way towards 31st Avenue and Clement. One of them broke from the group and came up from behind the victim and told him to give up his I-pod. When the victim said no, the suspect pushed the victim against the wall and again ordered the victim to give up his I-pod. Again the victim refused and the suspect knocked him to the ground and ripped the I-pod from his hands. Officers found the suspect a short time later 28th and Geary. The suspect still had possession of the victim’s I-pod. A 16 year old male was charged with robbery and possession of stolen property.

On 12/15/09 at 7:55pm a victim was walking on north on 17th Avenue towards Clement Street. She heard footsteps behind her just before she was pushed from behind. Several suspects were trying to grab her purse from one shoulder and laptop bag from the other. She screamed and was punched in the face. One of the suspects was successful in taking the victim’s laptop and all suspects fled on 17th Avenue. Officers responding to the call saw the suspects at 16th Avenue and California and a foot pursuit ensued. All suspects were detained and the laptop was recovered in one of the suspect’s backpack. Two suspects, a 16 year old and an 18 year old were charged with robbery.

NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
On 12/13/09 at 3:15am a victim and her friend were getting into the victim’s vehicle on the 800 block of La Playa. As the victim stood by her open drivers side door she was suddenly grabbed from behind in a bear hug by the suspect, who tried to grab her car keys from her hand. The victim screamed and struggled with the suspect over the keys and when a witness ran over and yelled at the suspect to stop, the suspect fled northbound. The suspect was described as a male, 20-25 years of age with shoulder length hair and goatee. He was also wearing yellow pants and a gray jacket.

On 12/14/09 at 11:50am a female victim was walking south on 17th Avenue towards Anza Street. She was pushed from behind and knocked to the ground by the suspect, who put his hands into her jacket pocket. The suspect was unable to take any property and fled west on Anza. He was described as being 18 to 25 years of age wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt and cap.