Sunset Crime: Gas Station Robbery Caught On Tape, Dog Attack Ends In Assault, More

Sunset Crime: Gas Station Robbery Caught On Tape, Dog Attack Ends In Assault, MoreThe Ocean Beach gas station where a December 13th armed robbery occurred. (Image: Google Maps)
Walter Thompson
Published on January 05, 2016

Time again for a look at the dark side of life on San Francisco's western frontier, where there have been two notable developments: a vicious assault in Golden Gate Park, and a call from police seeking witnesses to an armed robbery at an Ocean Beach gas station.

Gas Station Robbery


At approximately 10:20 am on December 13th, an armed robbery suspect entered the 76 gas station at the corner of La Playa and Lincoln Way and held up the cashier at gunpoint, stealing $400.

The surveillance video above shows the suspect entering the station and selecting a bag of chips before bringing them to the register. As the clerk rings him up, the suspect pulls a gun, then walks around the counter to empty the till before dashing out, fleeing south on La Playa. According to the video, the entire incident unfolded in approximately 90 seconds.

Police are seeking a 30- to 40-year-old male, 5'10" and weighing approximately 190 pounds. At the time of the incident, the suspect was wearing a hooded black jacket, jeans and black shoes with white soles.

Dog Attack Escalates To Assault With Deadly Weapon

At 8am on December 31st, Richmond Station police responded to a report of an assault in Golden Gate Park. The victim, who was walking alone, was set upon by two dogs; after kicking the animals to defend himself, the victim was struck in the head with a metal pipe by the dogs' owners. As the victim lay on the ground, the suspects allegedly kicked him while the dogs continued to attack.

The suspects, a man and a woman between the ages of 25 and 35, fled the scene with the victim's backpack, which contained several books.

SFPD encourages anyone with information about either of these incidents to send a text to their anonymous tip line: text TIP411, then begin your message with "SFPD." Anonymous tips may also be phoned in to 415-575-4444.

Alleged Vehicle Burglary Suspect Pinched

On Saturday, January 2nd, officers from Taraval Station responded to a vehicle burglary call on the 1200 block of 18th Avenue after a resident called in to report a suspect's description and last known direction.

After a search, officers found a suspect who matched the witness' description; the stolen items were located "close to where the suspect was being detained," according to the report. Police brought the victim to where the suspect was being held; after the victim made a positive ID, the suspect was taken into custody.

Taraval Officers Avert Suicide By Cop

Taraval Station officers responded to a call on December 30th "regarding a suspect who was out of control." When police arrived at the scene, the suspect allegedly approached them "with a bat-like object in his hands and was ready to attack the officers."

Police used a non-lethal bean bag round "without any effect," but a second round caused the suspect to "drop the bat and flee the scene." After taking the suspect into custody and conducting an evaluation, police "determined that the suspect attempted to die by suicide by cop."

The next Park Station community meeting will be held next Tuesday, Jan. 12th at 6pm at 1899 Waller St. Taraval Station's next meeting is on Wednesday, Jan. 20th from 6-7pm at Minnie and Lovie Ward Recreation Center, 650 Capitol Ave.