[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of June 25, 2010. To be added to the station’s mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]
CAPTAIN RICHARD CORREIA’S MESSAGE
During last ten days officers have responded to a burglary at marijuana grow house and an armed robbery at another. For operators of illicit marijuana grows there is an increased likelihood of victimization because the clandestine nature of their businesses puts them outside of the protections in our community. This coupled with the fact that they retain product and keep cash on their premises encourages criminals to target grow houses.
When operators are victimized they are reticent to call the police. And, since they have little contact with their neighbors and don’t have usual patterns of activity common to living in an urban setting, it is unlikely that a neighbor would report anything except obvious criminal conduct.
The presence of marijuana grow houses increases the risk of violence in our community. Also, these operations require dangerous modifications to residential structures and electrical systems. As such, grow houses are at an increased risk of fire.
If you believe that there is a grow in your neighborhood please call us. If you sense that a residence is being used for commercial purposes its worthwhile giving us a call. You can call Lieutenant Mark Mahoney at 666-8042 or you can call 668-7387 and leave the information on the Station’s anonymous tip line’s voice mail. In an emergency please call 911.
During the past week, there were 14 traffic accidents, 1 involving injuries. There was 1 citation issued for driving without a license or driving on a suspended license. There were 2 arrests for driving under the influence.
NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On 06/19/10 at 4:00am officers responded to a call of a burglary in progress on the 2600 block of Cabrillo. A neighbor had heard noises and when she looked outside she could see a ladder placed against a home’s second story window, and could see a suspect climbing the ladder. A second suspect was standing outside with a flashlight and a third was sitting in a minivan parked in the driveway. When the first officers arrived on scene, they observed the mini-van still parked in front and began to approach on foot. When the driver saw the officers, he quickly started the engine and fled north on 28th Avenue. The driver was apprehended at 27th Avenue & Geary. Officers then conducted a walk through of the home for additional suspects and victims and saw that the home was a “marijuana grow house” and recovered over 500 marijuana plants. There appeared to be no one living there. The investigation is on going.
On 06/19/10 at 3:40pm officers responded to a call of a fight on the 4500 block of Cabrillo where a suspect had bitten off a part of the victim’s chin. Officers located the suspect at 48th Avenue and Cabrillo and the victim was in a nearby residence. The piece of the victims chin was also located and he was transported to a local hospital. The two males are roommates who had an argument that escalated into a physical fight. The victim was uncooperative with police.
On 06/23/10 at 6:30pm officers were called to the area of 33rd Avenue and Geary on a report of a large group of juveniles “tagging” an MUNI bus. Based on the description that the caller provided officers arrived and stopped seven male juveniles who were walking south on 33rd Avenue at Anza. The officers told them to stop and five complied, and spontaneously dropped their markers and paint cans to the ground. Two suspects decided to run but they were quickly captured by other officers at 32nd Avenue and Anza Street. The MUNI driver identified two in the group as the ones doing the graffiti on the bus. Both suspects, a 17 and 18 year old were charged with vandalism.
On 06/24/10 at 12:45am officers were called to the 4400 block of Cabrillo on a call of three males tagging the side of a business with one of them acting as a look out. When officers arrived they were directed to the east side of the street where they found one of the males hiding behind a parked car. The other two had fled the scene. A witness had seen them taking turns spray painting the side of the business. The 17 year old was charged with vandalism and being in possession of an aerosol container and released to his parent.
NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
On 06/18/10 between 12:30pm and 1:30pm on the unit block of Cook Street a suspect gained entry into a residence by throwing a rock through a glass panel on the front door. The suspect took a laptop, CD’s, jewelry and a wallet.
On 06/18/10 at 7:45pm a group of juveniles were on a 38 Geary MUNI bus headed towards the Cliff House. At some point near their destination victim heard someone say, “They are going to take your I-phone.” When the bus stopped at 48th Avenue & Point Lobos three victims ran off the bus to get away from a “suspicious group” that was on the bus. The suspects followed the victims, ultimately punching one of them and grabbing his necklace from the victim’s neck. The suspects then took an I-pod from another victim and fled towards the Great Highway. The suspects were described as males in their mid to late teens; one suspect had gold teeth, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. The second male was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and had a stud earring in his left ear.
On 06/19/10 between 3:00pm and 5:45pm on the 400 block of 19th Avenue, a suspect gained entry through an unlocked rear sliding door of a residence. The suspect took jewelry, cash and a passport.
Between 06/20/10 at 3:00pm and 06/21/10 at 8:30am on the 300 block of 6th Avenue, a suspect gained entry into a business by prying open the front door. The suspect then took cash that had been left in the register.