[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.