[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of April 15, 2011. To be added to the station's mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]

CAPTAIN RICHARD CORRIEA’S MESSAGE
In the last 45 days we have had 117 auto burglaries and 35 stolen autos reported in the district. If you want to avoid being victimized, please don’t leave anything in your car’s passenger area.

Of the cars reported stolen 6 were Toyotas and 14 were Hondas. Thieves appear most interested in late ninety’s vintage vehicles. If you own such a vehicle you should garage it whenever possible and consider installing a disabling mechanism.

Our next Police Community Forum is on April 19, 2011 at 7:00 PM at Richmond Station. We will be discussing auto burglaries and auto thefts.

During the past week in the District there were 16 traffic accidents 4 involving injuries. There were 5 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 04/12/11 at 4:45pm officers were sent to the area of Middle Drive East and MLK Drive (rear of Academy of Sciences) on a report of two males looking into the windows of parked vehicles. The officers located the two 18 year olds. One was in possession of a screwdriver and the other had four porcelain chips (used to shatter windows) in his jacket pocket. The second male was also in possession of a credit card that did not belong to him. The two were charged with being in possession of burglar tools.

NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
Between 04/04/11 and 04/11/11 a suspect gained entry into a home on the 100 block of 26th Avenue and took a large amount of jewelry. There were no signs of forced entry.

On 04/09/11 at 2:50am a victim was waiting for a bus at Fulton and 22nd Avenue. He was approached by two males, one of whom asked about the contents of the victim’s pockets. The victim told the male he had nothing. The second male suspect simulated a weapon. The victim then stepped into the lanes of traffic in the street and at that point to distance himself from the suspects. The suspects didn’t pursue the victim and after saying, “Fine, go home,” walked away west on Fulton . The suspects were described as males, 18 years of age, one wearing a black Giants sweatshirt and as having a lot of facial acne. The second was wearing a dark pea coat with his hair in a ponytail.

Giorgio’s Pizzeria at 2nd & Clement gets saucy with their t-shirt slogans

Here are some local links of interest for your hump day:

• Six locals will swim from Farallones to Golden Gate to raise money for veterans
• Richmond District Man Wakes Up To Robbery
• Find out where our chefs from Namu and The Richmond like to eat in the ‘hood
• New restaurant: Dongbei Mama: 4737 Geary (at 11th Ave.). Northern Chinese. via SFWeekly
• Birdwatchers hoot & holler over great horned owl chicks at Stow Lake
• An awesomely creative wedding proposal in the sands of Ocean Beach

Like this kind of stuff? Follow RichmondSFBlog on Twitter or Facebook – we share links like this often.

Sarah B.

[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of April 8, 2011. To be added to the station's mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]

CAPTAIN RICHARD CORRIEA’S MESSAGE
On Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 3:00 PM thieves committed a brazen daytime burglary in the outer-Richmond District on 29th Avenue. They broke open the front door of a lower flat and then quickly absconded with dozens of pieces of jewelry and several hundred dollars in cash. Many of the pieces of jewelry were both valuable and of tremendous sentimental value. Some pieces were heirlooms that had been passed down through the generations. Among the items taken were a 1950’s era graduation pendant and the victim’s wedding ring.

Watch full passers-by alerted the police but not before the criminals could make good their escape. Witnesses were able to provide responding officers with suspect and vehicle descriptions, including its out-of -state License Plate number.

Investigators from Richmond Station issued a nationwide alert for the suspect’s vehicle.

On April 5, 2011 on Interstate Highway 80 in Nebraska an alert member of the Nebraska State Patrol noticed a vehicle traveling east-bound in excess of the posted speed limit. The Trooper stopped the vehicle and quickly determined that it was the vehicle wanted by the San Francisco Police Department in connection with the 29th Avenue burglary. One suspect fled on foot, but was quickly captured. In all, four suspects were taken into custody.

During the course of the next several hours our investigators worked with Nebraska Troopers and, after obtaining a search warrant, recovered more than three hundred pieces of jewelry and nearly $20,000 in currency. Among the hundreds of other items were antique and heirloom jewelry.

Many of the items lost in the 29th Avenue burglaries were recovered, including the college pendant and wedding ring.

Our Inspectors are working to connect the suspects with our local burglary and to identify the owners of the other items recovered.

Our next Police Community Forum is on April 19, 2011 at 7:00 PM at Richmond Station.

During the past week in the District there were 33 traffic accidents 4 involving injuries.

NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On 04/02/11 at 3:00pm a plainclothes officer observed a suspect walking along Fulton near 32nd Avenue. The officer observed the male peering into windows of parked vehicles and continued to follow him to 28th Ave. The officer observed the male open the passenger door of the victim’s vehicle and begin to rummage around the front passenger seat area. The officer detained the suspect who claimed the car was his. While conducting his investigation, another male ran up and asked if everything was all right with his car. He stated he was the owner of the vehicle and gave no one permission to enter his car. The suspect, a 39 year old male was charged with auto burglary.

NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
On 04/01 between 8:30am and 1:00pm on the 100 block of 30th Ave, a suspect gained entry into a residence and took 3 laptops and a camera. There were no signs of forced entry.

On 04/01, between 9:00am and 6:45pm, on the 3000 block of WashingtoN, a suspect gained entry into an apartment by prying open the front door. The suspect then took jewelry and a watch. The main front door the apartment building is often left open with a brick.

On 04/02, between 11:00am and 4:50pm on the 3700 block of Clay, a suspect gained entry into a residence by climbing into a bedroom window. The suspect then took watches, a laptop, and jewelry.

On 04/02 at 8:45pm, the 16 year old victim was walking eastbound on 3700 block Clement with her mom. A dark colored sedan backed up onto the sidewalk, forcing the victim and her mother to have to walk single file behind the car. As they continued past the vehicle the female suspect exited the vehicle and ran over to the 16 year old. The suspect then grabbed the victim and attempted to pull her purse from her shoulder. The victim pushed the suspect away as her mother yelled out and the suspect fled back to the vehicle without the purse. The suspect was described as a female 16-17 years of age with shoulder length straight hair, wearing dark clothing.

On 04/03, between 3:00pm and 6:00pm a suspect attempted to gained entry into a home on the 3800 block of Jackson. The suspect attempted to pry open the door to the rear of the home and a side door but was unsuccessful as the victim had reinforced door frames and 5-point door locks on both doors.

On 04/03 at 3:32pm on the 300 block of 29th Ave, the suspect gained entry into a residence by prying open the front door. The suspect took jewelry and cash. A witness was able to obtain the license plate of the suspect vehicle which was subsequently stopped out of state. (SEE ABOVE)

[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of April 1, 2011. To be added to the station's mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]

CAPTAIN RICHARD CORRIEA’S MESSAGE
I received the following letter in the US Mail a couple of days ago and thought I would share it with you.

Dear Captain Corriea:
My name is BL and I live in Richmond District. I am writing to you because I think the intersection at Divisidero and Pacific is very dangerous. I think you should put a police officer right by the north-west corner of Pacific. I think it would make the intersection a lot safer to cross for pedestrians and bicyclists because he or she would make the cars stop at the stop sign. – Sincerely, BL, Age 7

I use information such as BL has provided in crafting our traffic strategies and I think that BL would be good addition to our Police Community Advisory Board. I am inspired by this child’s concern for public safety.

On April 30, 2011 between 10:00AM and 2:00 PM we will be participating in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Take Back Program. A receptacle will be set up in the lobby at Richmond Station for folks to deposit unwanted prescription medications for environmentally friendly destruction. Please drop off any outdated or unneeded prescriptions that you may have at home.

RICHMOND STATION ON TWITTER
In our station management staff meetings I can’t help but smile when the group, with collectively over 150 years of police experience, discusses Tweeting best practices, Re-tweeting and Followers. But we are finding that Twitter gives us a powerful tool to keep a lot of folks informed about risks to their safety. We are delighted that we currently have 430 followers and reach as many as 8000 people through Re-tweets.

Please follow us at Richmond_SFPD to receive real time crime updates and other public safety information.

Our next Police Community Forum is on April 19, 2011 at 7:00 PM at Richmond Station.

During the past week in the District there were 16 traffic accidents 4 involving injuries. There were 5 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 03/24/11 Richmond Station officers learned of a suspect that had been identified in a series of church burglaries. On 03/25/11 officers started to outreach to Richmond District places of worship to provide burglary prevention advice and show a photo of the suspect to the staff. On 03/25/11 at 12:50pm officers received a call from a staffer at a church on the 4400 block of Geary stating that the suspect was standing at the door asking for food. Officers responded and took the suspect into custody on the 300 block of 8th Avenue. The 45 year old male was charged with burglary and a probation violation. The investigation is ongoing.

On 03/25/11 at 10pm an off-duty officer was walking his dog on the 600 block of 14th Avenue. He heard the sound of glass breaking and walked towards the noise. The officer then saw the suspect reaching inside of an SUV that had its window broken out. The officer asked what the suspect was doing. The suspect said that the car belonged to him and told the officer to mind his own business. The off-duty identified himself as a police officer and told the suspect to get onto the ground. The suspect complied and responding officers took him into custody. The 60 year old male, who is on probation for auto burglary, and also had an outstanding warrant for auto burglary, was again charged with burglary.

NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
Between 03/24/11 at 8am and 03/30/11 at 6am on the 300 block of 3rd Avenue a suspect gained entry into a garage and took a bicycle. The suspect left behind an old beat-up bike. There were no signs of forced entry.

On 03/28/11 at 4:30pm a victim was walking south on the 600 block of Arguello texting on her I-phone. She was approached from behind by a suspect who was armed with a handgun and demanded the victim’s purse and phone. The suspect then grabbed the purse from the victim’s shoulder and phone from her hand and ran north on Arguello. When the victim turned around to see where the suspect went she saw that he was accompanied by another male. The first suspect was described as a male, 20-30 years of age wearing dark clothing.

Between 03/28/11 at 7pm and 03/29/11 at 6:30pm on the 500 block of Parker a suspect gained entry into an apartment garage and broke into a vehicle parked inside. It is unknown how the suspect got into the garage.

Between 03/28/11 at 11:15pm and 03/29/11 at 7:30am on the 100 block of Stanyan a suspect gained entry into a garage and took 2 bicycles, a gym bag and clothing. There were no signs of forced entry.

On 03/30/11 between 4:45am and 2:30pm on the 200 block of 26th Avenue a suspect gained entry into an
apartment via an unlocked window. The suspect took a laptop, 2 I-pods and a video game console.

On 03/30/11 between 2:30pm and 5:00pm on the 2100 block of Clement Street a suspect gained entry
into an apartment by unknown means. The suspect took cash, 2 purses and a laptop.

A drug case was dismissed on Wednesday after a judge cited officer misconduct. The case involved a search and seizure of marijuana from a Richmond District residence, which resulted in drug possession charges.

This latest dismissal is on the heels of nearly 70 cases that were dismissed recently due to alleged misconduct by a plainclothes investigation unit at the Southern Station.

The case here in the Richmond District began on the afternoon of March 1, 2011 when police received a report of a pot smell inside a residential apartment building at Geary and 33rd Avenue.

Three officers responded to the call – Officer Michael Chang, Sergeant Gary Watts, and Officer Martinez. They gained access to the building by walking in behind a resident as she drove into the garage, shown in the video below.

Once inside, the officers asked the woman if they could search the building and according to their report, she gave them permission.

According to video surveillance from inside the building, officers then walked door to door inside the building, sniffing for pot.

During their search in the hallway, police ran into resident Wenzell McLaren, and claimed that they smelled burnt marijuana on him. Police then spoke with him in the hallway for nine minutes, asking for permission to search his room. McLaren refused.

McLaren did tell police that he had a medical marijuana card and went into his room to get his doctor’s note for medical marijuana, and a jar filled with pot.

As he re-entered his room, officers followed him into the apartment where two witnesses say Sergeant Watts drew his gun as they searched the room. Officers found marijuana and proceeded to arrest McClaren for drug possession. It’s unclear to me how much marijuana was found – SFWeekly says it was 410 grams – or ~ .8 of a pound – the Examiner says it was 4 pounds.

Public Defender Jeff Adachi held a press conference Wednesday to announce that the case has been dropped after surveillance video was reviewed, resulting in the judge citing officer misconduct. McLaren’s lawyer also alleged that the officers did not immediately identify themselves as police. Reference was made to the video below, where there is no sign of the officers wearing their police shields.

The Examiner reports that prosecutors are considering an appeal, and Police Chief Jeff Godown didn’t see any issue with the case after reviewing the video.

“I’m not going to overreact every time Jeff Adachi comes out with another video or press release,” Godown said.

UPDATE: Thursday, 3/31/11, 10am: At a press conference, SFPD Chief Jeff Godown says it will be ‘business as usual’ at the Richmond District station after latest dropped case. [SF Examiner]

Sarah B.

Clement Street merchants received flyers yesterday from the Richmond District police station (pictured below). The flyer reports of increased commercial burglaries along the street, and advises merchants to beef up their nighttime security.

To avoid being the target of a break-in, police are suggesting that merchants secure their money and valuables in a safe after business hours, and leave some lights on inside their business at night.

The recent police blotters that the Richmond District police stations sent out don’t mention many Clement Street incidents, other than a burglary on the night of March 13th on the 500 block of Clement. A suspect gained entry into a business by first prying open a rear door, and then breaking a window. Cash was taken.

One Clement merchant who received the flyer told me she’ll be taking the police station’s advice and making changes to her after-hours security routine.

“I will for sure get a security box for cash changes. I’m going to leave more lights on at night like the police officer suggested, even if it will rack up my electric bill,” she said.

Sarah B.

[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of March 24, 2011. To be added to the station's mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]

CAPTAIN RICHARD CORRIEA’S MESSAGE
On April 30, 2011 between 10:00AM and 2:00 PM we will be participating in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Take Back Program. A receptacle will be set up in the lobby at Richmond Station for folks to deposit unwanted prescription medications for environmentally friendly destruction. Please drop off any outdated or unneeded prescriptions that you may have at home.

There were 3 citations issued for driving without a license or driving on a suspended license. There were 2 arrests for driving under the influence.

Follow the Richmond District Police Station on Twitter

NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On 03/05/11 at 6:10pm officers were patrolling the area of the 400 block of 41st Avenue when they saw a suspect
looking into the windows of parked cars. When the suspect saw the officers he immediately turned his back on the officers and began to walk away. The officers attempted to detain the suspect who then ran from them. The suspect was stopped a short distance away. The officers found that the suspect, a 25 year old male, was in possession of narcotics and had an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

On 03/09/11 at 2:55pm an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at 12th Avenue and Cabrillo. The officer
instructed the driver to turn off the engine of the car. The driver replied, “I can’t, I don’t have a key.” When asked why he was driving a car without a key he told the officer that he was “borrowing it from a friend.” The suspect was detained and it was confirmed that the vehicle had been reported stolen. The 27 year old male, who is on probation, was arrested for the stolen auto and for narcotics that were found in his possession.

On 03/13/11 at 2:30pm a caller reported that there was a male trying to enter homes along 18th Avenue. The caller reported that the suspect was “fiddling” around with several doors along the 100 block of 18th Avenue and constantly looking around to make sure no one was watching him. The officers located the suspect on the 2300 block of Lake Street and detained him. The suspect, who is on parole and probation, was in possession of keys and a cell phone that were later determined to have been taken in an auto burglary. The 32 year old male was charged with attempted burglary, probation violation and possession of stolen property.

NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
Between 03/10/11 at 8:00pm and 03/11/11 at 8:00am on the 100 block of 18th Avenue a suspect gained entry into a garage of an apartment building and stole a BMW . Entry was gained by prying open a door.

On 03/12/11 at 1:30pm at 24th Avenue and Cabrillo a victim saw a male pushing a shopping cart which belonged to his produce market on Irving Street. He confronted the suspect who then pepper sprayed the victim in the face and ran eastbound on Cabrillo. The victim was treated at the scene. The male suspect was described as being 40-50 years of age, wearing glasses, green scarf, and blue jeans and carrying a black duffle bag.

Between 03/13/11at 6:30pm and 03/14/11 at 9:20am on the 500 block of Clement Street a suspect gained entry into a business by first prying open a rear door, and then breaking a window. The suspect took cash.

Between 03/13/11 at 11pm and 03/14/11 7am on the 3200 block of Washington Street a suspect gained entry into a garage and broke into two vehicles parked inside. There were no signs of forced entry. The suspect took a GPS and coins.

On 03/15/11 at 11am on the 2900 block of Anza a victim awoke and discovered a suspect in his bedroom. The victim said “who are you?” The suspect then ran out of the bedroom and the victim got up and saw two suspects run from his home. The suspect had pried open the front gate, then broke the glass on the front door to gain entry. There was no loss. The suspects were described as males, 17-18 years of age both wearing black jackets and blue jeans.

[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of February 18, 2011. To be added to the station's mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]

CAPTAIN RICHARD CORRIEA’S MESSAGE
On March 1, 2, 3, 2011 the officers from our Wilderness Program joined parents, teachers and students from Sutro Elementary School on a 3-day 2-night camping trip to Clem-Miller Environmental Center in Point Reyes National Seashore. Reports suggest that all had a great time.

Finally, we appreciate all of your assistance with our search to locate seventy-three year old Kenneth Chin, who went missing from his residential care home on the 700 block of 37th Avenue on February 24, 2011. Due to Mr. Chin’s illnesses our officers conducted round the clock searches and aggressively followed up on leads as to his whereabouts. Merchants and property owners throughout the district supported the search efforts by posting Mr. Chin’s photograph. We also received tremendous personnel and canine support from public safety partners from around the Bay Area. I am saddened to report Mr. Chin was located in a wooded area near Lands End deceased on March 6, 2011. The medical examiner is investigating to determine the exact cause of death.

Our next Police Community Forum is on March 15, 2011 at 1:00 PM at Richmond Station.

During the past week in the District there were 19 traffic accidents 6 involving injuries. There were 6 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 02/28/11at 7:15pm officers responded to the area of Sutter and Broderick on a report of a stabbing. The
suspect had entered a business on the 2400 block of Sutter and stole an item. The clerk followed the suspect out of the store and asked for the item back. The suspect complied and as the victim returned to the store; the suspect followed him and hit him in the chest. The suspect then left the business and when the victim realized he had been stabbed, he followed the suspect while calling 911 on his cell phone. The officers detained the suspect, a 53 year old female, at Geary & Steiner. She was charged with aggravated assault and burglary. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his non-life threatening injuries. .

On 02/28/11 at 10:30pm on the 200 block of Clement Street a woman whose parked vehicle had been struck by another car flagged down an officer. She explained to the officer that the driver of the other vehicle refused to provide all the necessary information. While the officer was on scene, the suspect driver returned and was annoyed with the woman for notifying the police. The officer explained to the suspect driver that she was legally required to provide insurance information and she replied by swearing at the officer. The suspect then began to rant and rave and yell at the other driver. The suspect stepped towards the other woman in a threatening manner, so the officer took her arm and told her to relax. The suspect replied by again swearing at the officer and took a swing at him. The officer blocked the swing and the suspect continued to fight with the officer and attempted to bite him. The suspect told the officer that she was going to kill him. Other officers arrived on scene and the suspect was detained. The 23 year old was charged with threatening an officer, resisting arrest and battery.

On 03/01/11 at 1:00 AM an officer was on patrol in the area of 22nd Avenue and Geary Boulevard . He observed the suspect “tagging” a billboard with spray paint. When the officer directed the suspect to stop, the suspect looked at the officer and ran. After about 5 steps, the suspect stopped and placed his spray can on the ground and put his hands up. The 19 year old male was charged with vandalism.

On 03/02/11 at 10:13 AM an officer was patrolling the area of Post and Broderick when he saw an SUV travelling south on Broderick. In the back seat was a small child standing up holding onto the headrest. The officer conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver and determined that the unsecured child was four years old. The driver verbally gave a name and date of birth, which had no match in the DMV system. The driver insisted that her driver’s license was valid. The officer established that the SUV was a rental car and when he contacted the rental agency he was told that the car had been rented with a stolen credit card and had just been reported stolen. When told this information the driver started to cry and said, “I’m going to jail, I’m caught, I’m going to jail.” The officer assisted the driver in locating a family member to come pick up the children in the car. Upon searching the car prior to it being towed the officer located a US Mail bag full of correspondence addressed to different people. The mail consisted of bank statements, money market statements, and credit and debit cards. The officer also located the credit card that was used to rent the SUV. The 36 year old female was charged with possession of stolen property, false impersonation and failure to properly secure her child in a vehicle.

NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
On 02/26/11 at 1:00am officers were called to Fulton and 6th Avenue on a report of a dispute. When they arrived they found a 24 year old male who was intoxicated and bleeding from the mouth. He could only tell the officers that he had been punched. Officers located two other witnesses who had observed the incident from different locations. They told the officers that the victim and one other male had been throwing long florescence light bulbs up in the air. One hit a MUNI electric wire and came down landing on a passing vehicle. The driver of that vehicle stopped the car abruptly and the passenger got out and beat up the victim. The passenger re-entered the vehicle and left the scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

On 03/01/11 between 9:00am and 10:20am on the 5500 block of Geary a suspect glued the keys of an ATM machine making it in-operable. This activity is part of a fraud scheme. A customer, after inserting their card and entering their PIN, goes into the bank to get assistance with retrieving their card from the machine, whereupon the suspect is withdraw funds from the account.

On 03/02/11 between 11:00am and 1:00pm on the 600 block of 18th Avenue a suspect gained entry into a home by prying open the front gate and door. The suspect took cash and jewelry.