Police Blotter – August 28, 2014

[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of August 28, 2014. We’ve been told that the station has been flummoxed by a new email system, so the blotter is not currently being emailed every week, only posted to the station’s Facebook page. To be added to the station’s mailing list for future deliveries, email sfpdrichmondstation@sfgov.org.]

CAPTAIN SIMON SILVERMAN’S MESSAGE
The officers of Richmond Station are committed to traffic safety which is why you often read about them making arrests for driving with a suspended or expired license in our weekly newsletters. Not surprisingly, a 2012 study by the California DMV noted that suspended and unlicensed drivers are more dangerous than drivers with a valid license. The study found that suspended and unlicensed drivers are almost three times as likely to cause a fatal collision.

When SFPD officers cite a person who is driving with a suspended or expired license (or who has never had a license), they do not let that person drive off. There are three options for what happens next: The car can be parked, a licensed driver can drive the car away, or the car can be towed.

In cases like this, the law and SFPD policy allow an officer to tow the vehicle only when one or more of the following factors are present:

1. The vehicle is parked illegally or is a traffic hazard.
2. There is a risk of theft or vandalism if the vehicle is left at the scene.
3. There is a likelihood of immediate unlawful operation of the vehicle.

We will do our best to deal with dangerous drivers, but they are out there so be careful!

NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS & INCIDENTS
On 08/24/2014, at 1:13 am, Officers responded to the area of 36th and Anza regarding a reported assault. Upon arrival the officers saw a male laying on the sidewalk bleeding. The officers rendered aid until a medical unit arrived on scene. The male was unsure what had transpired and had initially thought he had been shot in the head or hit with a bottle. The victim was returning from a night out when he was assaulted by 3 males. A witness had observed the 3 males exit a grey Ford Expedition and then proceed west on Anza from 36th Ave. A short time later the 3 males returned and got into the waiting vehicle which was driven by a fourth suspect. The witness continued on Anza Street and discovered the male victim lying on the ground. The victim discovered that his phone was missing and did not appear to have suffered any further loss. SFFD Medics treated the victim at the scene and then transported him to St. Mary’s for further attention. The investigation continues…

On 08/25/2014, at 1:23 am, Officers on regular patrol in the area of the 3500 Block of California St. observed a male who the officers knew had an outstanding warrant. The male was known to the officers through multiple prior contacts. The officers arrested the male and while continuing their investigation discovered a quantity of possible Methamphetamine in baggies along with a measuring scale. The male was booked at county jail for possession of methamphetamine, possession for sales and the warrant.

On 08/23/2014, at 12:45 am, Officers on regular patrol in the area of Balboa and 12th Ave. observed a vehicle fail to stop at a posted stop sign. The vehicle went through the limit line at about 10-15 m.p.h.. The officers followed the vehicle and contacted the female driver. They saw that the driver showed the objective signs of intoxication so they initiated a D.U.I. investigation. The driver was later booked at the county jail for D.U.I..

On 08/22/2014, at 4:35 pm, Officers responded to the area of Geary and Masonic regarding a report of male possibly vandalizing vehicles in the area. Upon arrival in the area the officers spotted a male who matched the description provided by the dispatcher. The officers contacted the male and were able to find out he was on current probation. The officers discovered the male was in possession of burglary tools and various electronic items. While conducting their investigation they were approached by a citizen who stated that he was the victim of an auto burglary which had just occurred. As the victim described the stolen items, the officers realized that the detained suspect was in possession of matching items. A further independent witness was able to point out the suspect as the person he saw breaking into the victims vehicle. When the victim was shown a recovered Ipad mini he was able to provide proof that he was in fact the owner of the item. The suspect was later booked at the county jail on multiple felony charges.

On 08/23/2014, at 6:14 pm, Officers on patrol in the area of Geary and Arguello Blvd saw a female park in a disabled parking space and walk towards a nearby store. The officers parked their vehicle next to the disabled spot and saw a parking placard hanging from the mirror. A short time later the officer saw the female walking back towards her vehicle. When the female made eye contact she transitioned from a normal walk to a heavy right side limp. The female stated the placard was issued to her mother and further stated that her mother was in the store which she had just left. The officer offered to escort the female back to the store in an effort to contact the placards owner. On hearing this the female then told the officer that her mother was not in the in the store but was in fact at home. The female was cited for placard misuse and the placard confiscated.

On 08/27/2014, at 8:10 am, Officers observed a Volkswagen Jetta fail to stop at a posted stop sign at Euclid and Heather. The officers contacted the driver and a computer query revealed that the driver was driving on an expired license. The driver was cited for both violations.

On 08/27/2014, at 11:00 pm, Officers responded to the 3600 Block of Washington Street regarding a report of a missing person. The officers interviewed the reportee and were directed to the Crissy Field area as a location which the missing person frequented. As these officers were searching for the missing male other officers were calling around other locations in an effort to make contact. Later that night officers contacted the male at his home and were told there were no problems or issues. The male had forgotten his phone and not checked in with his mother after making prior plans to meet her.

On 08/21/2014, at 4:52 pm, Officers saw a Silver Impala driving in the area of 8th and California with paper plates. The officers stopped the vehicle and contacted the driver who was later determined to be driving on a suspended license. The driver was cited for multiple violations.

On 08/26/2014, at 5:25 pm, Officers responded to the 300 block of Arguello Blvd. regarding a known parolee who had a warrant issued for his arrest. The officers contacted the parolee at his listed home and made an arrest without incident.

On 08/26/2014, at 11:00 pm, Officers on patrol in the area of 16th and Geary observed a vehicle which was driving in an unsafe manner. The officers followed the vehicle for a number of blocks and observed further violations so they pulled the vehicle over. When the officers contacted the driver they noted the distinct smell of marijuana and that the driver was showing signs of alcohol intoxication. The officers initiated a D.U.I. investigation and later booked the driver for the D.U.I. and various other violations.

On 08/28/2014, at 12:35 pm, Officers contacted a male regarding traffic code violation. When the officers conducted a records check they were advised the male had a warrant for his arrest. The male was arrested without further incident.