Police Blotter – October 18, 2013

[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of October 18, 2013. To be added to the station’s mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]

CAPTAIN SHARON FERRIGNO’S MESSAGE
As the weather cools off and we prepare for Day Light Savings to end its important to remind our loved ones that motorists cannot see you when you are wearing dark clothing and it is dark outside. I have personally stopped numerous bike and skateboarders for riding on the sidewalk. People, especially senior citizens cannot see you coming. It is a violation to ride on the sidewalk and I encourage my officers to cite for this. Now that it’s getting darker earlier and staying darker longer it is even harder to see bicyclists, pedestrians and skate boarders. Parents, as you shop or create your families Halloween costumes please remember to make sure they are not too long to avoid a tripping hazard and consider using bright colors or tape that illuminates to keep your loved ones safe. Last week I shared a story about a bunny rabbit that was found near 44th avenue.

I am delighted to report that Snowy the bunny was reunited with her family after the neighbors banded together to locate her people.

San Francisco police are alerting the public to a telephone scam involving the demand for payment for what are presented as overdue loan debts, and a telephone scam involving payment for traffic tickets supposedly issued by the San Francisco Police Department. In these calls, often the caller ID is that of the SFPD, showing a legitimate police department number.

In the unpaid loan scam, the caller identifies himself as a police officer, stating that he is acting on behalf of “Mark Rothman & Associates.” To prevent criminal proceedings or a bench warrant being issued, the caller demands an “interim payment.” The caller instructs the victim to purchase a $500 Green Dot MoneyPak or Vanilla Gift card or similar cash-load card as payment and to call a specific number once this is done. Once the victim has purchased the card and called the number, the victim is instructed to give the card information, and a phony proof-of-payment e-mail is sent. Once that information is given, all the money on the card is fraudulently used.

In the unpaid traffic ticket scam, the caller claims to be from the San Francisco Police Department and may even fraudulently use the name of an actual San Francisco police officer. The caller states that there is money due, $154 or more; on unpaid traffic tickets and that a bench warrant will be issued unless payment is received. Payment is demanded through a similar cash-load card process and, again, the money on the card is used.

These fraudulent contacts may also be done through e-mail or pre-recorded calls.

As a matter of policy, the police department never contacts citizens for payment under any circumstances, including for outstanding traffic citations or for any civil debt.

Citizens are urged not to comply with such requests, and to report such calls to the police. Green Dot MoneyPak cards and similar cash-load cards have recently been the focus of scam artists throughout the country. Citizens should never provide the card number and security clearance codes to a caller or in response to an e-mail.

NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On10/ 11/2013, at 4:28 pm, Plainclothes officers were conducting a vehicle burglary abatement in the area of the Chess Tables in Golden Gate Park. During this operation the encountered a large group of people in an area known for narcotics use. Officers recognized one of the individuals as a person who was arrested three months earlier for narcotics and weapons violations. When contacted the individual gave a name to the officers which was incorrect. The officers were able to determine that there were two current arrest warrants of the male and on further investigation discovered narcotics which were packaged for sales. The suspect was not cooperative and was later booked at County Jail for two warrants, Narcotics Violations and resisting arrest.

On 10/12/2013, at 5:23 pm, Officers Dun and Mariano were on patrol in the area of 7th and Fulton St. when they observed a male casing vehicles. They contacted the male and confirmed that the male was currently on probation. As the officers continued their investigation the suspect admitted to having narcotics currently on his person. The officers further discovered that the individual had active warrants for his arrest. The suspect was later booked for the violations at County Jail.

On 10/12/2013, at 1:45 pm, Officers responded to the area of 2000 Post St. regarding a report of an attempted robbery. The responding officers contacted the victim’s who stated that an unknown male had attempted to snatch an Iphone and in the process also threw one of the victims to the ground. Officers requested a medical response for the victim’s injuries. While conducting their initial interview and broadcasting descriptions, the officers were approached by two witnesses who had recovered a wallet on the ground fifty yards from the attempted robbery. The robber had dropped his wallet while fleeing the scene. The suspect was subsequently arrested for the attempted robbery and booked into County Jail. (Thank you to the robber for being considerate and leaving his wallet with ID at the scene.)

NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
On 10/04/13, at 7:01 am, Officer Garrett was on foot patrol in the area of the Chess Tables in Golden Gate Park. Officer Garrett was contacted by a citizen who told him that someone needed help over the hill. As the officer crested the hill he observed a female kneeling over a male who was lying on the ground. The female appeared to be slapping and shaking the male for an unknown reason.

On seeing the officer the female screamed the she needed help. Officer Garret ran over and observed that the male was “completely blue”, did not have any pulse and was unconscious. Officer Garrett immediately called for a medical response and notified dispatch he had started to apply CPR. Officer Garrett used his medical training as he had been instructed to in the police academy. After a period of time Officer Garrett was able to find a pulse and placed the male victim in a position of recovery just as he had been previously taught. When the medical team arrived they applied further treatment which luckily brought the victim back to consciousness. The victim was then transported to Hospital for further evaluation and medical treatment.

On 10/17/2013, at 12:10 am, Officers responded to the area of Pierce St. and Sacramento St. regarding a reported street robbery. The victim in this incident reported the he was walking home when he was approached by two males, one was holding a semi-automatic pistol. The victim was ordered to lie on the ground and his wallet and cell phone were taken. The suspects fled from the area after ordering the victim to stay on the ground. Multiple units searched the area for the suspects to no avail. There were no injuries in this incident and the investigation continues….

On 10/10/13, at 8:53 pm, Officers responded to the area of Fulton and La Playa St. regarding the report of a street robbery. A male and female were waiting for a Muni Bus in the area when they were approached by two males who came from the park; one was armed with a semi-automatic handgun. The suspects took a digital camera, cell phone and a bag full of groceries. The suspects fled from the area north from Fulton St. Multiple units searched the area for the suspects but were unable to locate the suspects. There were no injuries in this incident and the investigation continues….