FiDi & North Beach Recent Crime Roundup

Photo: Thomas Hawk/Flickr

Periodically, Hoodline will round up some recent crimes and injuries in the Financial District and North Beach areas as reported by SFPD sources. Though not meant to be comprehensive, it should serve as a brief snapshot of recent activity to help locals stay informed. We'll also occasionally include snippets from SFPD Central Station Capt. David Lazar's newsletter.

In this week's SFPD Central Station Captain's Newsletter, Capt. Lazar tells of a robbery at an ATM (more on that below) and gives some safety tips.

He writes, "Things to consider: 1. Please be careful when using an ATM, regardless of where and when. 2. Be mindful of individuals who may be around when using the ATM. 3. Make sure you are in a well-lit area and a location you feel safe. 4. Consider limiting the amount of cash you withdraw and carry with you. 5. Consider having others with you when you withdraw money. 6. If you think something is suspicious, it probably is and if you feel unsafe, cancel your transaction and walk away (don’t forget your card)."

Here's a roundup of crimes from the past week as provided by the SFPD; more crimes of note can be found on the SFPD Central Station website:

Of particular note this week was a call for a robbery with force by two men at 8:21am April 29th at the Embarcadero Center. A 32-year-old woman was loading her shopping cart when a man lunged and pushed her, and a man ripped a necklace off of her neck and fled. It has been increasingly common to read about necklace grabs against older women in Chinatown; it appears the crime is now spreading.

Again this week, someone has it out for portable potties, a common sight due to the construction boom. Last week, two were lit on fire. This week, it happened again at 1:20am April 29th at a business at Union and Hyde streets. Units responded to a call from Muni regarding a portable potty on fire, and SFFD extinguished the fire. The damage was limited to the unit.

A 72-year-old man was taking money from an ATM at 10:30pm April 24th on Stockton near Green streets when two men approached him, pushed him and took the cash. The suspects fled on foot.

At 11:25pm April 25th, a 22-year-old man was walking on the 300 block of Francisco Street when a suspect approached from behind, pepper sprayed him, knocked him to the ground and took his property. The suspect fled in a black Cadillac.

Two men in their late twenties robbed a 29-year-old man at 6pm April 26th on the 800 block of Francisco Street with a handgun. They took two passports (Russian and international), U.S. currency, Russian rubles, a credit card and a debit card. The victim suffered scrapes on his hands and forearm and swelling on the back of head, but refused medical treatment.

In the 900 block of Bush Street at 1:17am April 27th, a man about 25 to 30 years old robbed a 20-year-old man of his cell phone with a BB handgun. The victim left work and was about to ride his bike home when the suspect approached, demanding his property. The victim refused, so the suspect brandished a handgun and then took the victim's cell phone. The victim fought with the suspect and took the BB handgun and fled. The suspect then fled in a vehicle.