In a city with the nation's highest rate of property crime, it's not surprising that there are too many vehicle-related crimes to include our latest recap of SFPD reports around the Inner Sunset. Although Park Station has reported three successive months of declines in the rate of car thefts and break-ins, cars are still burgled and stolen several times each day in the area.

Another situation of which neighbors should be aware: via Nextdoor, several Inner Sunset residents reported being visited late last week by workers who said they were inspecting gas meters for PG&E. Due to the high incidence of cases where fake utility workers have burgled homes, many residents were suspicious, but a call to the utility verified that workers were active in the area.

On Friday, KTVU reported that Marina district residents were also concerned about a man "dressed like a PG&E employee," but utility representatives vouched for his identity.

PG&E's meter inspectors carry photo IDs and wear hard hats and safety vests, but customers aren't required to let them into their homes. To verify that the utility has workers in your area, call 800-743-5000.

Here are the other notable crimes that occurred in the Sunset in the past two weeks. All reports come from the SFPD, unless otherwise noted. 

Sunday, May 1st

At 8:17pm, on the 1600 block of 15th Avenue, four suspects between the ages of 20 and 30 jumped out of a Black BMW 6 Series with paper plates and assaulted a 22-year-old man, punching him "three times in the face" before taking his camera. According to the report, three of the suspects got back in the BMW and fled eastbound on 14th Avenue. The victim, who complained of pain to the face and a cut lip, refused transport to the hospital.

Thursday, April 28th

Sometime between 9:30pm and 6:45am on April 28th-29th, a burglar stole a garage door opener from a car parked in the driveway of a home on the 1400 block of Fulton Ave., using it to gain access to the garage of the 68-year-old resident. Two bicycles were stolen.

Monday, April 25th

At 8:36pm, on the 1400 block of 7th Avenue, two men in their mid-50s exited a compact, four-door blue sedan and approached a 52-year-old resident who was taking out the trash. One of the suspects struck the victim "repeatedly on the head with [a] crowbar."

The victim, who suffered non-life threatening head injuries, was transported to the hospital. Although no arrests were made, officers from Park Station said the suspects are "known."

Saturday, April 23rd

At 5:31pm, police from Taraval Station responded to the report of a battery at 19th Avenue & Lincoln Way. According to a witness, the "suspect was a local drunk" who was "particularly unstable" that day, "approaching and yelling at random people in the street."

The witness told officers that the suspect struck four "random" people as they walked past; officers arrested the suspect, but did not release any details about his identity.

Friday, April 22nd

At 10:15am, near 17th Avenue & Taraval, employees of a grocery store flagged down a passing police patrol to report chasing away a shoplifter who attempted to steal some toothpaste. After "a records check on the suspect revealed a warrant on the suspect," he was arrested.

Thursday, April 21st

At 8:00am, police from Park Station responded to the scene of a traffic collision at Kezar Drive and Lincoln Way. Because the car's driver forgot to engage the parking brake, the car "rolled into [the] intersection, hitting the curb." Police cited the driver "for the violation."

Wednesday, April 20th

At 10:41pm, police responded to a robbery call at Pacheco Street & 17th Avenue. The victim told officers that a suspect pulled up next to her in a car, opened the door, and "approached her holding a gun" before demanding her cell phone. She threw her cell phone at the suspect and fled.

Minutes later, at 10:54pm, police responded to another robbery report a short distance away, on the 800 block of Kirkham Street. According to the victim's statement, "she was about to open her front gate when a suspect approached her with a pointed gun." After the suspect shoved her, she fell on the ground, dropping her phone, which was retrieved by the suspect before he fled the scene.

Tuesday, April 19th

Officers on patrol discovered a stolen vehicle near the intersection of Irving St. & 7th Avenue at 12:48pm. It was driven by a suspect who "then proceeded in speeding away from officers." While attempting to escape, the suspect "got in a car accident," in which a victim sustained minor injuries. The suspect was arrested.

At 3:44pm, officers from Park Station responded to the scene of a reported garage burglary on the 1200 block of 4th Avenue. The "victim discovered [that] their bicycle was stolen from their garage." Police are investigating the matter.

At 10:11pm, officers were on patrol at 9th Avenue & Lincoln Way "when they observed a suspect that strongly resembled a fugitive recently seen on a crime alert flyer." When officers asked for ID, "the suspect was only able to give verbal identification." After making a records check, officers determined that the suspect had an active felony warrant, and took him into custody.

The next community meeting for Taraval Station hasn't been scheduled yet, but Park Station will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 10th at 6pm in its community room at 1399 Waller St.