[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of June 29, 2012. To be added to the station’s mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]
CAPTAIN SHARON FERRIGNO’S MESSAGE
With summer in full swing and many tourists and visitors enjoying our districts points of interest a few key items stand out. Pedestrians please use the crosswalk and obey the traffic lights. Drivers, please slow down, pay attention and allow pedestrians to cross the street. Finally, do not leave your valuables in your car. Locked in the trunk is not secure. We are all in this together and it is good to remind ourselves to slow down and pay attention. The officer’s at Richmond Station have been focusing on car break-ins and traffic issues. That focus will continue.
In last week’s message, I spoke about having representatives from Outside Lands to speak at our meeting on July 17th, here at Richmond Station. We have now met with members from PAR (Planning Assoc. for Richmond ) and they will be hosting a meeting on July 18th, 2012 at the Richmond Rec Center, 251 18th Ave from 7pm to 9pm. There will be representatives from 3 upcoming events: Outside Lands, Power to the Peaceful and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. There will be an opportunity for comments and questions after each group speaks and the meeting will end promptly at 9pm.
Our next Community meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 7pm. It will be in the Community Room, here at Richmond Station, 461 6th Ave.
NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On 06/29/12 at 5:53pm, plainclothes officers were in the area of JFK Dr and Conservatory Dr when they observed a known subject who was on parole. They detained the male and found he was in possession of narcotic paraphernalia and had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The suspect was charged with narcotic and parole violations.
On 06/29/12 at 6:10pm, an officer was patrolling the area of Conservatory Drive near JFK Dr . He observed a male looking into the window of a parked SUV. As the officer passed the suspect, the male suddenly stood up and walked away from the vehicle. The officer was aware of a recent rash of auto burglaries in the area and stopped to speak with the male. When asked how he got to the park, the suspect told him he had been dropped off by his sister. The suspect also told the officer he had no form of identification. The officer then noticed another vehicle parked next to the SUV the suspect had been looking into. The officer saw that the window was down and the doors were unlocked. The officer saw a pair of gloves and a wallet and found in the wallet, identification for the suspect. It was determine that the suspect was on probation and in possession of a “window punch.” The 23 year old male was charged with a probation violation and possession of burglar tools.
On 07/05/12 at 12:13am, officers were called to the area of Bush and Baker Sts on a report of an auto burglary in progress. The caller was reporting that a male in black clothing and smashed out the window of a red SUV. The officers arrived on scene and located the victim’s vehicle with the rear cargo window smashed out. Upon illuminating the interior of the vehicle, the officers observed the suspect hiding behind the driver seat. The suspect was ordered out of the vehicle and taken into custody. The suspect, a 47 year old male was charged with burglary.
On 07/05/12 at 8:22pm, a white Ford Explorer was involved in a vehicle collision at 4th Ave and Geary. The Ford fled the scene and then crashed into the front of a restaurant at 2nd and Geary. The driver of the Ford then backed up and fled south on 2nd Ave towards Anza, where he and his passenger abandoned the vehicle and continued up to Balboa St where they jumped on a MUNI bus. Witnesses, who had observed the collision, followed the suspects and advised 911 dispatchers of the direction of the suspects. Officers boarded the bus at 3rd Ave and Balboa and detained both driver and passenger. It was determined that the driver, a 29 year old male was driving under the influence and charged with that as well as hit and run and driving with a suspended license. The passenger was released.
NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
On 06/29/12 at 2:00am, a restaurant delivery driver was in the area of Heather and Euclid Sts and parked to answer a call from his boss. Shortly after he felt something being pressed against his temple and a male voice saying “Give me everything!” The victim turned towards the voice and was punched in the side of his head. The victim then gave the suspect his cell phone, GPS and wallet. The suspect fled east on Euclid. He was described as a black male, 20-25 yrs, wearing a black baseball cap and black jacket.
On 06/29/12 between 9pm and 11:45pm on the 3000 block of California St, a suspect gained access to a tradesman alley and took a bike that was locked up. A gate may have been left open.
Between 06/30/12, 5pm and 07/02/12, 9am on the 200 block of Cherry, a suspect gained access into a residence under construction and took numerous tools. There were no signs of forced entry.
On 07/02/12 between 9:30am and 12:30pm, a suspect entered a multi-unit garage on the 2900 block of Geary and took a bike. There were no signs of forced entry.
Between 07/02/12, 7:30pm and 07/03/12, 7:45am on the 3200 block of Cabrillo, a vehicle parked on the street was broken into and the garage remote was taken along with 2 iPods. The suspect, then used the garage remote to open the garage door and entered, breaking into a car parked inside. The suspect took guitars, a bike and tools from the garage.
On 07/03/12 between 7:40am and 5:45pm on the 2100 block of Baker, the suspect pried open a door to a downstairs apartment and took a flat screen TV and a laptop.
Between 07/03/12, 10:30pm and 07/04/12, 10:30pm on the 500 block of 5th Ave, a suspect gained entry into a
garage and gained access to a storage unit by removing a padlock. The unit had been rummaged through, but it appears there was no loss. The tenant informed the officer that the garage door appeared to be out of its track.
On 07/05/12, between 11am and 4pm on the 400 block of Anza, a suspect pried open the door to a residence and took a laptop and jewelry.
I recently had my bike stolen from the lobby of my building. When filing the police report, the officer told me that nothing would be done about it and I would not see it again. Does anyone know why the police are doing nothing to help people find their stolen property or at least checking it out? It seems like this is encouraging people to steal bikes – there’s no recourse or punishment. Any insight would be great, it made me kind of sad (and I miss my bike!).