[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of October 2, 2014. To be added to the station’s mailing list, email sfpdrichmondstation@sfgov.org.]
STATION MESSAGE
Yet again we are getting reports on scams operating within our district. It has been reported that two females, one in her teens and one in her 20’s are saying they were raising money for a trip to Spain. Another line is they are selling ???encyclopedias???
They seem to be posing as USF Students. USF has been notified and is aware of this. If you see these people operating in your area call 415-553-0123 and request a police response.
NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS & INCIDENTS
On 09/20/14 at 1:10 am, officers on patrol in the area of park presidio blvd and Fulton Street observed a vehicle driving 20 mph over the posted speed limit. The officers initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle. The officers contacted the driver who produced a California id card. While the id card was indeed valid, the driver was also suspended from driving for a prior violation. The driver had been notified previously by law enforcement regarding his suspension and was issued a citation for the current violations.
On 09/22/14 at 11:30 pm, officers on the patrol in the area of Divisadero and Pine St. observed a vehicle with a mechanical violation. The officers initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and contacted the driver regarding the violation. When asked for a California drivers license the driver was unable to produce one. A computer check on the driver revealed he had never been issued a California drivers license. The driver was cited for multiple violations.
On 09/26/14 at 2:20 pm, officers responded to the 800 block of La Playa St. regarding a theft from Safeway. When officers arrived at the scene, they spoke to the security officer who had detained the suspect. A computer query revealed that the female suspect had multiple outstanding warrants for her arrest. The female was booked without any further incident at the county jail.
On 09/26/14 at 10:23 pm, officers on patrol in the area of 36th and Cabrillo observed a silver BMW with non working tail lights. The officers initiated a traffic stop and as they approached the vehicle, they saw there was a current registration tab attached to the license plate. A computer query on the vehicle revealed that the registration was in fact expired and the tab on the plate was false. When contacted, the driver stated it was not his vehicle and did not know who had placed the sticker on the rear license plate. The driver was cited for multiple violations and due to the registration being expired over 6 months, the vehicle was towed from the scene to the police impound yard.
On 09/26/14 at 11:50 pm, officers responded to the area of 40th and Fulton regarding a report of a possible DUI vehicle. The vehicle was reportedly swerving over the double yellow lines on the St. and driving into oncoming traffic. At about 11:55 pm, officers located the vehicle, stopped in the middle of the St. at the intersection of 47th and Fulton. The officers contacted the driver who was slumped over in the driver’s seat with a cell phone in his left hand. The car was in gear and for the safety of all parties involved, the officers had to put the vehicle into park. The phone in the left hand of the unconscious driver had a partially composed text message which was not delivered, but clearly visible. A narcotics DUI investigation was initiated and the driver was later booked at county jail for multiple felony violations. Officers seized a quantity of suspected heroin, drugs paraphernalia, a baseball bat and a Smith and Wesson (BB gun) pistol with six rounds of ammunition tucked in between the front seats. The investigation continues…
On 09/29/14 at 5:31 pm, officers on patrol in the area of Martin Luther King Dr. and 25th Ave. observed a male on a parked bench who appeared to be in need of medical attention. The officers contacted the male and offered him various types of assistance, which was declined. The male told officers he was just having a bad day and did not want any help. While conducting their well being check, the officers conducted a computer query which showed he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The male was booked at county jail on the warrant without any further incident.
On 09/29/14 at 5:00 am, officers responded to the 3500 block of Sacramento St. regarding a reported robbery. The victim in this incident was grabbed from behind by a male suspect who told him he would be killed if he did not comply. The victim told the suspect he did not have a wallet with him and it was at this time he was approached by a second suspect who was female. The female removed a set of car keys and loose change adding up to about one dollar ($1.00). Both suspects fled on foot in an unknown direction. The investigation continues…
On 09/30/14 at 2:15 am, officers on patrol in the area of west bound Geary and 12th Ave. observed the vehicle with multiple vehicle code violations. The officers initiated a traffic stop and contacted the driver who stated he was picking up his friends who were at another location and felt too intoxicated to drive home. While the driver was being a good Samaritan in driving his friends home, he failed to realize, you should not drive a vehicle while your license is suspended. The driver was cited for multiple violations and called a ride share company to safely take both himself and his friend’s home.
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We are still suffering from vehicle break-ins along Fulton St. and around the Sutro Baths – Point Lobos Areas. We are actively addressing the vehicle break-ins that occur but we also need the assistance of the general public in this endeavor.
We would ask you to follow these general guidelines.
You should lock doors and windows, even if the car’s in front of your home.
Remove valuables from your automobile.
Remove ‘pull-out’ style radio face plates (if equipped).
Park in well lit areas when possible.
Park where your car will be easily & frequently viewed (natural surveillance).
Park in your garage if you have one.
Use a car alarm, it will alert anyone nearby.
Never leave your car running or the keys in the ignition when you’re away from it, even for a short time.
Use anti-theft devices like “The Club” or an alarm system. You may get a discount on your auto insurance.
You should never leave portable electronic devices such as smart phones and GPS navigation systems in a vehicle.
The San Francisco Police Department remains committed to the reduction and prevention of vehicle thefts and auto burglaries, and to the prosecution of those that steal vehicles. We hope the information provided will help the members of our community.
“It has been reported that two females, one in her teens and one in her 20’s are saying they were raising money for a trip to Spain. Another line is they are selling ???encyclopedias???”
They’re just confused time-travelers, ok?
One of the young women knocked on my front door about four months ago. She claimed to be a State student and quickly flashed some publication that supposedly had something to do with … something. (It looked like a worn mail order catalog to me.) She was VERY interested in scoping out the art and other items in my front room, even going so far as to ask me what some things were. My guess is that these “ladies” are not just trying to get you to write them a check, but are in fact scoping out potential robbery sites. If they come to your door, be super careful. Don’t be afraid of being rude … just say no, shut the door, and report to the police as suggested.
Thank goodness the bench was parked or that could have been a really dangerous situation !
I have a No Soliciting sign directly below my doorbell. It does not deter 100% of doorbell ringers but it does offer me the opportunity to ask about reading skills from any who purport to be from a school. This generally takes less than five seconds.