[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of February 26, 2010. To be added to the station’s mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]
CAPTAIN RICHARD CORRIEA’S MESSAGE
This newsletter often contains information about financial elder abuse. Many of the incidents reported to Richmond Station involve the loss of a lifetime of savings. One study I reviewed recently suggests that for each report of financial elder abuse a government agency receives at least four incidents go unreported. Moreover, while most of the reports that Richmond Station receives involve “cons” and lottery schemes by strangers, national data suggest that these types of crimes account for less than five percent of the total number of annual reports of financial elder abuse. The same study noted that “trusted professionals”, family and care givers combined accounted for 55% of the cases.
If you suspect financial elder abuse please notify the police immediately by calling 553.0123. You can also share your concerns by leaving a message on the Richmond Station Anonymous Tip line by calling 415.668.7387. In an emergency always call 911.
The Police Department’s Community Relations Unit will be hosting a series of community meetings to educate the public about Conducted Energy Devices (CED), often called “tasers”. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 2, 2010, 5:30 p.m. at Mission Police Station’s Community Room. On Tuesday, March 9, 2010, 5:30 p.m. there will be meeting at Bayview Police Station’s Community Room.
NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On 02/19/10 at 5:55pm officers were called to the area of Geary & Presidio Avenue on a report of a theft that had just occurred on a westbound 38 Geary MUNI bus. The victim had her phone snatched out of her hand by a suspect as the bus came to a stop at Geary & Baker Streets. The suspect then fled from the bus north on Baker. A description was provided of the suspect and officers searching the area observed a male running north on Broderick towards Post Street. The suspect then ran up to the third floor landing of an apartment complex stopped near a barbecue that was on the landing, and then was detained by the officers a short distance away. Officers lifted the lid on the barbecue and found the victims phone lying on the grill. The suspect, a 25 year old male was charged with possession of stolen property.
On 02/21/10 at 6:54pm officers were on patrol in the area of the 1400 block of Baker Street. They observed a male crouched down at the rear of a motorcycle that appeared to be tampering with or placing an object onto the back of the motorcycle. The male looked up, saw the patrol car and quickly backed away from the bike. He then began placing numerous items in his backpack. When the officer asked if the bike belong to him the suspect dropped the bag and began to walk away. The officers detained the male and determined that he was on probation and had an outstanding arrest warrant for a narcotic’s violation. The officers checked the motorcycle and found a wooded object shoved into the ignition. They determined that the motorcycle was in fact stolen. The 42 year old suspect was charged with theft and possession of burglar tools.
On 02/22/10 at 2:30pm officers were called to the area of Beach Chalet on the Great Highway on a report of a bicycle theft that had just occurred. The victim had locked his bike to a pole near one of the stairwells leading to the beach. From a distance the victim looked up and saw the suspect standing near his bike and kept an eye on him. The victim saw the suspect bend down and then get on the bike and drive away. The victim ran back up to the sidewalk and caught up with the suspect and grabbed onto the bike. The suspect pulled away and rode off. A passerby saw this and had the victim get in her car and they drove around looking for the suspect. When they couldn’t find him, the passerby dropped the victim back off in the parking lot and was leaving when she saw the suspect again on the bike. She began to honk her horn and got out of her car yelling at the suspect. Several other people came to assist her and the suspect was told to leave the bike, which he did. The suspect then walked out back towards the Great Highway while being followed by one of the witnesses. An officer arrived and detained the suspect. During the investigation it was determined that the suspect had actually taken two different bikes, both of which were recovered. The suspect, a 44 year old male, was charged with theft, possession of stolen property and burglar tools.
NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
On 02/19/10 at 5:50pm a victim was on a westbound 38 Geary MUNI bus talking on her I-phone. As the bus came to a stop at Geary and Divisadero, the suspect, who was also on the bus, grabbed the phone from the victim’s hand and fled eastbound on Geary. The suspect was described as a male, 25-30 years, wearing a black hooded jacket and jeans.
Between 02/22/10 at 8:00pm and 02/23/10 at 7:00am on the 2400 block of Scott Street a suspect entered a garage and took a bicycle. The suspect also took change from a vehicle parked inside the garage. There were no signs of forced entry.
Between 02/23/10 at 10:30pm and 02/24/10 at 8:00am on the 4400 block of Balboa, a suspect gained entry into a business by prying open the front door. Once inside the suspect took the cash register and the money inside it.
On 02/24/10 between 6:40am and 4:30pm on the 700 block of 11th Avenue a suspect entered into an apartment building by a back staircase between the buildings. The suspect entered the apartment by unknown means and took a clarinet and laptop.