Police Blotter – April 13, 2017

RICHMOND DISTRICT POLICE NEWSLETTER
April 13th, 2017 | Volume 1, Issue 4
Download the full issue (PDF)

CAPTAIN’S MESSAGE
It has been a very busy week here at Richmond Station. I’ve had a series of meetings with the SFPD Command Staff and the community that went very well. We also gave our Station a much needed facelift by cleaning up the landscaping. Check out the before and after pictures below!

I’d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to attend the community meeting next week on April 18th. I’m looking forward to meeting with everyone and hearing how Richmond Station can best serve this community.
Thanks for all the amazing art work that has been sent to the station. Keep ‘em coming!

-Captain O’Brien

NEXT COMMUNITY MEETING:
WHO? EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ATTEND.
WHAT? A MEETING WITH CAPTAIN O’BRIEN.
WHEN? TUESDAY, APRIL 18TH, 2017 AT 6:00 PM.
WHERE? SF PUBLIC LIBRARY, RICHMOND BRANCH, LOCATED AT 351 9TH AVENUE.
WHY? TO MEET OUR NEW CAPTAIN, AND DISCUSS TOPICS CONCERNING CRIME IN THE RICHMOND DISTRICT.

INCIDENTS IN THE RICHMOND DISTRICT THIS WEEK

Robbery Suspect Arrested at Richmond District Supermarket
Geary Boulevard & 27th Avenue
04/06/2017 1:00 pm
A suspect entered a Richmond District market and found the items he was looking for. He nonchalantly placed the items in his pants, and attempted to leave the store without paying for the item. Unluckily for this suspect, the loss prevention employees were onto his scheme. They had been watching him on the store’s surveillance camera system. They also called 911 to report the incident, and officers were dispatched.

Upon the officer’s arrival at the scene, he observed the loss prevention employees physically restraining the suspect on the ground. Through a thorough investigation, the officer learned that the suspect had attempted to barge past the loss prevention employees when they attempted to stop him. This elevated the severity of the offense from shoplifting to a robbery.

The stolen merchandise was quickly located inside the suspect’s sock. The suspect was also found in possession of narcotics paraphernalia. This suspect was charged with robbery, and was booked at County Jail.

Recently Released Suspect Arrested After Breaking Into a Vehicle
Funston Avenue & Anza Street
04/07/2017 8:10 pm
Richmond District Officers were dispatched to a report of a vehicle burglary. A witness heard the sound of glass breaking and saw a suspect riding away from the scene on a bicycle. The witness provided a description of the suspect and his bicycle to the dispatcher. Furthermore, the witness attempted to follow the suspect until police arrived.

Officers searched the area and were able to locate and detain a suspect matching the description. On the suspect, the officers located property which had been taken from inside the burglarized vehicle. Officers also located a porcelain chip tool, which is an instrument commonly used to break vehicle windows.

This suspect initially provided the officers with a bogus identification; however when his real identity was established, officers discovered that he had recently been released from jail for a prior recent felony arrest. This suspect was promptly returned to County Jail with a brand new set of felony charges.

Suspect on Probation Arrested for Possessing Burglary Tools
Jackson Street & Baker Street
04/10/2017 1:46 am
Officers from Richmond Station’s midnight watch were on patrol in the district, looking for criminal activity. That’s when these officers observed a suspect riding his bicycle without a attached light during darkness, which is a violation of the California Vehicle Code. The Officers stopped the suspect to investigate further.

A criminal record check of the sus-pect revealed that he was on probation for burglary. As a result of his probation status, the suspect was subject to a warrant-less search of his person. During the search, the officers located a canister of pepper spray. This suspect was prohibited from possessing pepper spray. To make matters worse for this suspect, the officers also located a broken porcelain chip from a spark plug on a string. This is a ’tool’ commonly used in auto burglaries. The officers also located numerous additional tools commonly used by burglary suspects.

Thanks to the hard working and diligent officers of Richmond Station, this suspect was apprehended before he could commit further offenses. The suspect was booked at County Jail.

Wanted Suspect in Possession of Burglary Tools Arrested in a Stolen Vehicle
34th Avenue & Fulton Street
04/10/2017 9:48 am
A concerned Richmond District resident called to report a suspicious vehicle in the neighborhood. She reported that it had been in the area for some time, moving from one parking spot to another. She also provided a description of the vehicle and the driver for the officers.

When an officer arrived at the scene, he quickly located the vehicle and the suspect. The officer ran a records check on the vehicle’s license plate and the suspect. It showed the vehicle’s registration was expired, but no information could be found about the suspect. The suspect’s behavior during the incident was very erratic, causing the officer to sense that the suspect was being deceitful. He used his keen investigative skills to probe further.

The officer ran the vehicle’s VIN, which showed that the vehicle was stolen. The license plates attached to the vehicle belonged to a different vehicle of the same make. Realizing that his jig was up, the suspect also revealed his true identity to the officers. Another criminal history check revealed that he had several warrants for his arrest too.

A search of the stolen vehicle revealed a large quantity of tools and instruments which are commonly used by burglary suspects in the commission of their crimes. There was also a large amount of property which the officers on scene believed may have been stolen. This suspect was eventually booked at County Jail for several felony offenses.

COFFEE WITH A COP
Saturday, April 29th, 2017 | 8:00am – 10:00am
La Promenade Cafe, 3643 Balboa St
JOIN YOUR RICHMOND DISTRICT POLICE OFFICERS FOR COFFEE AND CONVERSATION!
No agenda or speeches, just a chance to ask questions, voice concerns, and get to know the officers in your neighborhood!

RICHMOND STATION’S OFFICERS OF THE WEEK:
Officer Brian Neill
Officer Neill currently works day watch as a beat officer at Richmond Station. He can regularly be seen riding down Geary Blvd.

Officer Neill grew up in nearby San Jose and at-tended Bellarmine College Preparatory School. He also served in the United States Navy prior to becoming a police officer.

He has been a police officer with the San Francisco Police Department for 10 years. He originally wanted to be a police officer because he enjoys working outside and en-gaging with the community.

His hobbies include swimming in the Tomales Bay, SCUBA diving, and riding his bicycle.

His safety tip of the week: “When crossing the street, it’s really important to look both ways for approaching vehicles. Just because pedestrians have the right of way does not mean it’s safe to cross the street. Also, avoid looking down at your cell phones when crossing the street.”