[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of June 13, 2013. To be added to the station’s mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]
CAPTAIN SHARON FERRIGNO’S MESSAGE
This week there has been an increase in Robberies in the lower end of our district near Divisadero Street. These have been happening in the very early morning 2 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. Please take note of your surroundings when walking to and from the bus, parking lots, etc. If you think you heard or saw anything please call us, it helps us to build a case.
I attended a meeting last night and there was some confusion as to when to dial 911. If a crime is in progress please call 911, if it’s not an emergency the number is 553-0123. A person breaking into a car where you can see it happening is a 911 call. Someone in your neighbor’s yard that you think is suspicious is a 911 call. It is better to be safe than sorry and if the 911 dispatcher thinks your call is not an emergency, they will transfer you to the non-emergency line.
Our next Community meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at 6pm. It will be in the Community Room, here at Richmond Station, 461 6th Ave.
NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On 06/07/13 at 10:12am, officers responded to a call of a possible burglary on the 2200 block of Divisadero St. The neighbors were reporting that there was music coming from a downstairs apartment and them new that the tenant was out of town. Officers were given the key to the unit and an officer covered the front door while others went to the back. They saw that a glass pane on the rear door had been smashed out. The chain was also on the door from the inside. When they got in they could hear the TV on in the living room and saw the suspect asleep on the couch, in a bathrobe. When the officers announced their presence, the suspect woke up and appeared to be quite startled. Several of the rooms had been ransacked and property belonging to the victim was found in the suspect’s jacket and pants which were on the bedroom floor. In the pocket of the bathrobe were other items, including jewelry and credit cards. The 47 year old male was charged with burglary, possession of stolen property and burglar tools.
On 06/08/13 at 5pm, officers came across an encampment near Overlook Dr and Middle Drive West, with two males living in a tent. One of the males had an outstanding narcotics warrant for his arrest from Belmont.
On 06/18/13 at 6:30pm, officers responded to a call of a male sleeping in a business on the 4100 block of California St. When they arrived he was sitting in the corner and said to the officers, “You would better take me in, I have a parole warrant.” The officers confirmed the warrant and took him in.
On 06/13/13 at 4:17am, officers responded to a call of a burglary in progress on the 5600 block of Geary. The caller was reporting that a male smashed out a window and was currently inside.
When the officers arrived they saw that the front window had been completely smashed out by a newspaper rack that was now sitting inside. They could see the suspect inside of the store standing completely still with his arms straight down by his side, facing the rear of the store. The officers, still outside yelled at the suspect who replied, “What are you going to do? You gonna shoot me?” He then walked towards the front door and punched out the glass. Again the officers order him to exit and he finally complied. Officers could see a deep laceration to his hand and called for a medic. He was taken to a hospital for treatment and while there he told the officers that he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder and had been hearing voices. He also said that he wanted to kill himself. The 24 year old suspect was placed on a 72hr psych hold.
NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
On 06/09/13 at 2:15am, the victims were walking west on Sutter towards Broderick St. When they reached the corner the two suspects approached them and pushed one of the victims, demanding his property. One suspect, who was holding a handgun, struck the victim in the side of the face with the gun, knocking the victim to the ground. He then took the victim’s camera and demanded the second victim’s purse. The suspects then ran west on Sutter St. They were described as black males, 25-30yrs, wearing black baseball caps, black shirts and dark jeans.
On 06/10/13 at 12:40am, the SFFD requested police presence at a house fire they had responded to. The firefighters had discovered that this home was a “grow house” and located numerous marijuana plants. Officer arrived and saw a large marijuana grow. SFPD Narcotic Inspectors arrived and assisted in the investigation which is ongoing. There was no one living in the home.
On 06/12/13, sometime after 4am, two suspects entered a home on the 2400 block of Sutter through an unlocked door. The suspect took some items from the main living level and then went upstairs to a bedroom. They awakened the occupant, pointing a handgun at him with their faces covered. They went through his room and took several items. They then went to a second bedroom and woke up the two occupants. They also took property from these victims. The suspect then fled south on Broderick St. The loss was iPhones, laptops, cash, wine and a flat screen TV. They were described as males, one with long black hair and dark clothing, the other was wearing a white t-shirt and black pants.