[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of December 3, 2010. To be added to the station’s mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]
CAPTAIN RICHARD CORREIA’S MESSAGE
During the investigations of several recent incidents in the district we learned that residents living nearby had for some time been suspicious of activity around the locations. This is common. I often hear things like, “cars pulled up at all hours of the day and night, and did not stay long”. Or, “some days twenty five people would come and go from the residence”. Please call us and let us know when you see unusual activity that may be related to some sort of criminal activity. You would be quite surprised how often an anonymous tip on the station’s “tip line” voice mail leads investigators to discovering criminals engaged in drug sales and production operations or other felonious activity. Please trust your instincts and give us call. In an emergency call 911.
To pass on a hunch or a suspicion you can use our anonymous tip line ( 668-7387 ) or call the station’s Investigative Team leader, Lieutenant Mark Mahoney (666-8042). Please remember that criminal enterprises in residential areas present an increased risk of harm to our communities. This is so because criminal activity attracts other criminals to the area. For instance, let’s say that an individual is running a narcotics production facility in his apartment in your building. Such an “all cash” operation will initially attract drug uses and “middle-men” intent on buying dope. As the business grows in production and revenue, the chance of residential armed robbery increases. Help us stop such operations in their nascent stages.
During the past week in the District there were 16 traffic accidents 2 involving injuries. There were 3 citations issued for driving without a license or driving on a suspended license. There was 1 arrest for driving under the influence.
NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On 11/22/10 at 3:55pm officers were called to the area of 29th Avenue and Anza on a report of an auto burglary that
had just occurred. The witness had provided a description of the suspects and their vehicle. As officers were responding the caller updated the information and said that the suspects had just driven away, eastbound on Anza. Officers located the vehicle and conducted a stop at 19th Avenue & Geary. The officers recovered stolen property from the suspect’s vehicle. They also located a loaded handgun underneath the passenger seat. The suspects, a 17 year old and a 19 year old were charged with auto burglary and possession of a loaded firearm.
On 11/27/10 at 1:30pm officers responded to a call of an armed robbery that had just occurred on Geary at 9th
Avenue . The victim reported that three males had approached him, and one had grabbed a bag out of his hand. One of the suspects then grabbed a rifle out of his waistband, pointed it at the victim and told him he would be shot if he followed the suspects. The suspects then fled south on 7th Avenue towards Anza Street . The victim followed and saw them board a bus at 6th Avenue and Balboa. An officer arrived on scene and the suspects fled the bus and all ran in different directions. Numerous units responded and all suspects were taken into custody. The rifle was recovered from underneath a parked car. Two 19 year olds and one 21 year old were charged with robbery, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm.
On 11/28/10 at 5:53pm officers went to a call of a theft that had occurred in a business on the 2800 block of
California Street . Two suspects had entered a coffee shop and took a laptop from a table. A witness saw the suspects fleeing and get into a vehicle. The witness was able to provide a description of the car as well as the license plate. The information was provided to all police units by dispatch. Officers located the vehicle as well as the suspects in the area of 7th Street & Market. The laptop had apparently already been sold by the suspects, one of whom was on felony probation for robbery. The three suspects were charged with burglary and grand theft.
On 11/30/10 at 12:55pm officers were called to the area of Geary and Collins on a report of a robbery that had just occurred. The victim had been on an outbound 38 Geary MUNI bus and when the coach stopped at Geary & Collins, one of the suspects grabbed her cell phone from her hand, and he and the second suspect fled the bus west on Geary. The victim tried to give chase but lost sight of them. Numerous patrol units responded to the area and conducted a search, locating the two suspects on the 300 block of Anza St . The suspects, both 18 were charged with robbery.
NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
Between 11/24/10 9:00am and 11/28/10 at 8:45am on the 2900 block of Clay Street a suspect gained entry into a
residence and took two suitcases. There were no signs of forced entry.
On 11/24/10 between 9:30am and 5:10pm on the 500 block of 24th Avenue a suspect gained entry into an apartment by prying open the front door. The suspect took two laptops and jewelry.
On 11/24/10 at 8:15pm a victim was walking west on Sutter approaching Pierce Street . The suspect approached her and brandished a handgun and demanded her property. The victim handed over her bag and the suspect fled west on Sutter. The suspect was described as a male 15-20 years of age, wearing a black jacket and black pants.
On 11/26/10 at 2:20pm, the suspect walked into a business on the 3500 block of California and simulated a weapon at the teller. He demanded cash and fled the bank. The suspect was described as a male 25-35 years of age wearing a red and black hat with ear flaps and a scarf.
On 11/28/10 at 2:30pm the victim was standing at the bus stop at Sutter and Presidio. The suspect was also there and moved closer to the victim and then grabbed her cell phone from her hand. The victim attempted to hold onto her phone but fell to the ground in the struggle. The victim attempted to catch the suspect but lost sight of him at Broderick and Bush Sts. The suspect was described as a male, 20-25, wearing a white hooded sweatshirt, light colored jeans and white tennis shoes.
On 11/30/10 between 7:20am and 7:30pm on the 700 block of 18th Ave a suspect gained entry into an apartment
and took two laptops and a camera.