Police Blotter – January 12, 2012

[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of January 12, 2011. To be added to the station’s mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]

CAPTAIN KEITH SANFORD’S MESSAGE
The New Year 2012 is upon us and I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season. 2011 was an active year with numerous events in the Richmond District. I appreciate all the assistance from business owners, community members and city agencies that contributed to our successes. I look forward to 2012 in maintaining our efforts in resolving crime, traffic issues and participating in our business/community events with members from our police stations being actively involved.

The Chinese Lunar New Years is coming soon and we are working with Project SAFE in being active in our business corridors, handing out safety/crime prevention material relating to extortion, burglaries, robberies and crimes of opportunity. Supervisor Eric Mar, SAFE representatives, business members and Richmond Station Officers will walk the Clement Corridor on January 19th at 1PM, meeting at 4th Ave. /Clement.

I anticipate working with Project SAFE, Senior Action Network, MUNI, SF WALK in having a traffic safety enforcement operation on January 30th in the area of Geary Blvd, Palm and Arguello.

Speaking of Traffic Safety, I am sorry to report that Richmond Police Station has lost to retirement, Sergeant John Fewer. John was our supervisor overseeing the motorcycle officers at Richmond Police Station. We now have three motorcycle officers assigned to our district. John has been instrumental in policing for over 30 years and I had the pleasure of working for John when he was my Sergeant at Central Police Station. John oversaw all the foot beat officers working 7pm-3am, in the Tenderloin, Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square and Broadway. John demanded the best from his officers in work efforts, professionalism and community service. John has been an asset to the City of San Francisco and the San Francisco Police Department. I know that John will enjoy his retirement and I want to thank you for all your service as well as your assistance to me in my police career. We will miss you!

Our PCRF will be held on January 17th at 7pm in the Richmond Police Station community room. Refreshments will be served.

NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On 01/08/12 at 6:57am, officers were called to a suspicious vehicle parked on the 100 block of Commonwealth. The caller was reporting that there was at least one person in the car, who appeared to be looking around with a flashlight. Officer arrived and located 3 persons in the car and they told the officers that their car had broken down and they were waiting for a ride. Upon running the license plate they determined that the vehicle was stolen. The three parties, all of whom were on parole were detained by the officers. Eventually the driver of the vehicle, a 30 year old male was charged with stolen auto. The other two were released.

NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
On 01/06/12 at 3:40am, a caller reported that she had heard glass breaking outside her home on the 100 block of Palm Ave. When she looked out her window she saw the suspect standing next to her neighbor’s car with his arm inside the driver’s side window. As the suspect approached the caller’s vehicle she yelled out that she was calling the police and he had better start running. The suspect ran out of sight but the caller could hear glass breaking and an alarm going off down the street. In total 6 vehicles had their windows broken, but after located registered owners only one could report a loss. The suspect was described as a male wearing a brown leather jacket, and a medium build.

On 01/06/12 at 1:20pm, the victim was approached by the suspect on the 1300 block of Lake St. The suspect told the victim that he had been entrusted with $200,000.00 dollars to distribute to various churches and charities. The suspect asked for a ride to pick up another party who was supposed to be a deacon at an unnamed church. During the ride the suspect told the victim that he would give the victim some of the money but as a good faith measure both the victim and the “deacon” would have to withdraw cash from their own accounts to show good faith. The deacon went into his bank first and upon returning to the vehicle, gave the suspect an unknown amount of cash. The suspect handed the deacon a red bandana that supposedly held the deacons portion of the money and the deacon left. They then went to the victim’s bank where he withdrew $4000.00 and gave it to the suspect. The suspect then handed the victim a red bandana and left the area. When the victim opened the bandana a short time later, he discovered it was full of sheets of folded up newspaper. The suspect was described as a male, 60-65, who was semi-bald and walked with a limp. The deacon was described as a male with mirrored sunglasses, dark pants and carrying a briefcase.

Between 01/06/12, 3pm and 01/08/12, 5pm on the 100 block of 10th Ave , a suspect gained entry into a garage and took a bike. There were no signs of forced entry.

On 01/07/12, between 1:15pm and 10:45pm on the 2500 block of Sutter, a suspect gained entry into an apartment and took a bag containing ID, a passport and Clipper Card. There were no signs of forced entry.

On 01/08/12 at 1:40am, the victim was walking on Fulton approaching 10th Ave. The suspects step out in front of him and told him to give up his property. The suspects began to go through his pockets and took his iphone, ipod and wallet. The suspects fled in an unknown direction and due to poor lighting the victim was unable to get a good look at the suspects but stated that they were all wearing hats with flaps over the ears.

Between 01/09/12, 7pm and 01/10/12, 7:30am on the 400 block of 9th Ave, a suspect gained entry into a garage and took a bike. There were no signs of forced entry.

Between 01/09/12 11pm and 01/10/12, 7:30am, a suspect gained entry into a garage and took items from vehicles parked inside. There were no signs of forced entry.

Between 01/10/12, 9:15pm and 01/11/12, 7:15am on the 2700 block of Bush St, a suspect gained entry into a garage and took items from the vehicle parked inside. The suspect also took a bike and a skill saw. There were no signs of forced entry.