Police Blotter – December 15, 2016

SFPD Richmond District Police Station
Weekly Update 12-15-2016

NEXT COMMUNITY MEETING:
Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 at 6:00 PM
Richmond Police Station Community Room
461 6th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94118

HERE ARE SOME OF THE INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED IN THE RICHMOND DISTRICT THIS WEEK:

ARREST: THEFT FROM A LOCKED VEHICLE; ASSAULT WITH A CAUSTIC CHEMICAL; PROBATION VIOLATION
LAKE STREET & 20TH AVENUE
12/07/2016 10:35 AM
When a Richmond District resident went to his vehicle, he was alarmed to find an unknown male suspect sat inside it. As victim approached the vehicle, the suspect saw him and attempted to open the door and flee. The victim pushed back on the car door, preventing the suspect from leaving the scene. The suspect attempted to pepper spray the victim, but thankfully he missed. The suspect then shifted over to the other side of the car, and was able to exit the vehicle. The suspect brandished a small knife at the victim, and was able to run away.

Unluckily for this suspect, two ‘Good Samaritans’ saw this and decided to assist the victim. They chased the suspect a short distance and were able to catch him. A struggle ensued and the suspect was disarmed.

Police Officers arrived shortly afterwards and detained the suspect, who was found to be in possession of items taken from inside the vehicle. Officers ran the suspect’s criminal history, and discovered that he was on probation for burglary.

The suspect was booked at San Francisco County Jail.

FRAUDULENT GAME OR TRICK, OBTAINING MONEY OR PROPERTY
37TH AVENUE & ANZA STREET
12/08/2016 1:55 PM
After being scammed out of over $22,000, the victim came to Richmond Station to file a police report. The thieves used elaborate and ruthless means to cheat this elderly victim out of a substantial amount money.

The victim received a telephone call from an unknown male suspect, who claimed to be a Police Officer. The suspect informed the victim that their family member had been arrested, and then put another male suspect on the telephone. This suspect claimed to be the victims relative, and told the victim they needed money to make bail. The suspect also asked the victim not to mention anything to their other relatives. The suspect was instructed to get $6,900 in cash, and “Fed Ex” would pick it up from her at her house. The victim got the cash, and somebody claiming to be a “Fed Ex” employee came to pick up the money.

Several days later, the same suspect claiming to be a Police Officer telephoned the victim again. This time he said that more evidence was found against the victim’s relative, and he had been re-arrested. The suspect said the victim could bail him out again for $7,200. The victim got the cash, and the same “Fed Ex” person collected it.

The very next day, the victim received a final phone call from the suspect. This time the suspect said that the victim needed to pay attorney fees of $8,200. The victim paid in cash once again, which was collected in the same way by the same person.

These despicable scams tend to prey on the elderly and vulnerable, and exploit the caring and generous nature of others. Unfortunately these are not isolated incidents. Please share these stories with elderly family and friends to prevent them falling victim to similar scams. The police will never have any subject contact other persons or relatives to obtain money for bail in any manner.

ARREST: ARSON, INHABITED DWELLING; TERRORIST THREATS; WARRANT ARREST
BRODERICK STREET & SUTTER STREET
12/09/2016 10:51 PM
Richmond District Officers were dispatched to a reported arson incident at this location. The 9-1-1 caller told dispatch exactly where the suspect was located. The responding Officers quickly located and detained the suspect, who was holding a lighter in his hands.

Officers met with the victim, who provided her account of the incident. She told them that the suspect came to her apartment and knocked on the window, asking for money. When she told the suspect she would not give him any money, he reached in through the window and lit the curtains on fire. The victim extinguished the fire and told the suspect she was going to call 9-1-1. The suspect then threatened the victim’s life and fled the scene.

Officers ran the suspect’s criminal history and learned he had an outstanding warrant. The suspect was booked at San Francisco County Jail on several felony charges.

EVADING A POLICE OFFICER RECKLESSLY; DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL; DRIVING WITH NO LICENSE ISSUED
3RD AVENUE & BALBOA STREET
12/10/2016 3:25 AM
A vehicle without its headlights on drew the attention of vigilant Richmond District Officers on patrol during the early morning hours. The Officers also observed the vehicle fail to stop at a stop sign. The Officers activated their lights and siren in order to perform a traffic stop on the driver and the vehicle. The suspect vehicle continued to drive slowly around the area before abruptly stopping. As the Officers attempted to give instructions to the driver, the vehicle sped away.

A short time later, Officers were informed that a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle had been involved in a hit and run collision. Investigating Officers located the vehicle and were able to track down the driver. The suspect appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. The suspect claimed he was injured, so Medics were called to the scene.

The suspect was transported to the hospital for medical treatment, where he also submitted to a chemical test. He was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. A records check revealed the driver never had a license issued to him.

ARREST: BATTERY; MENTAL HEALTH DETENTION
CALIFORNIA STREET & PARK PRESIDIO BOULEVARD
12/12/2016 3:36 PM
Richmond District Officers responded to a call of a female suspect assaulting a MUNI driver at this location. When the Officers arrived on scene, they observed a commotion on the MUNI bus. The suspect was still on the bus, and was actively hitting the driver. Officers ordered the suspect off the bus and detained her.

The suspect appeared to be suffering from some mental illness. She rambled incoherently and displayed erratic behavior.

As the Officers conducted their investigation, they were approached by another victim on the bus. This additional victim claimed that the suspect had also assaulted her. Both victims expressed that they wanted to press criminal charges against the suspect.

The suspect’s was detained and transported to the hospital for a mental health evaluation. She was also cited for two count of misdemeanor battery.

ARREST: STOLEN VEHICLE; RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY
ANZA STREET & ALMADEN COURT
12/14/2016 8:30 AM
On 04/10/2016, a resident of the Richmond District had their vehicle stolen. A police report was filed, and a few days later the vehicle was found unoccupied. The responding Officers seized a receipt from inside the vehicle, which the owner stated was left behind by the suspect.

Sergeant Henry Lam of the Richmond Station Investigation Team received the case and diligently conducted a thorough and exhaustive investigation. Using the receipt found in the vehicle, he was able to track down surveillance footage of the suspect making a purchase at a supermarket. The suspect was identified and Sergeant Lam paid him a visit. Conveniently he was easy to find, as he was already incarcerated in San Francisco County Jail on a separate and unrelated charge.

Eight months after the vehicle was stolen, the suspect can now add vehicle theft and possessing stolen property to the list of charges he is already facing. Thank you Sergeant Lam for all your hard work and dedication.

CONTACT US:
Richmond Police Station
461 6th Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 666-8000
Anonymous Tip Line: (415) 668-7387