Bayview Crime And Safety: Gun Left On Muni, Exploding Fridge, Pepper Spray Assault, More

Bayview Crime And Safety: Gun Left On Muni, Exploding Fridge, Pepper Spray Assault, MorePhoto: Nick Normal/Flickr
Meaghan M. Mitchell
Published on June 08, 2016

Hoodline aims to keep neighbors informed of crime and quality-of-life issues in the neighborhoods we cover. In this first Bayview crime recap and others, we won't be covering every on-the-street incident, but we'll do our best to give readers a snapshot of what's been going on.

Here's a selection of crimes that took place recently in the Bayview police district, which includes Bayview, Hunters Point, Potrero Hill and the Dogpatch. All details are pulled from the SFPD's daily crime recaps, unless otherwise noted. 


There's been plenty afoot in the southeast neighborhoods lately.

On May 19th, we reported on the officer-involved shooting on Elmira and Shafter which killed 29-year-old Jessica Williams, who was allegedly driving a stolen car and attempting to evade officers. That shooting, on the heels of other police shootings in the city, proved to be the last straw for SFPD's Chief of Police, Greg Suhr, who resigned at Mayor Lee's request, amid criticism of the department. 

Last week, we reported that a 27-year-old man transported himself to the hospital after being shot in the chest while driving on Third Street at Newcomb.

Also of note: two crimes which were perpetrated outside the neighborhood, but ended nearby. On May 23rd, a carjacking and chase that began in Russian Hill ended with arrests in Bayview. And on May 31st, police recovered a gun at a home near Keith and Thomas street that had been stolen from an FBI agent's vehicle near Alamo Square two days before. 

Refrigerator explosion

On May 22nd at around 5:10pm, officers were called to the 100 block of Whitney Young Circle, where an unknown suspect had detonated "an unknown explosive compound in an abandoned refrigerator on the sidewalk."

Tool thievery

A suspect was arrested on Palou and Crisp avenues on May 27th. Around 2:20am, the suspect was caught on a surveillance camera manipulating a lock, and stealing a power tools from a toolbox located in the bed of a parked truck. The suspect was booked on auto burglary charges.

Homeless encampment assault

On May 27th, a 48-year-old man was found by SFPD lying on a cot and bleeding from the head at a homeless encampment. According to his statements, he was struck in the head by a pipe from an acquaintance who lived nearby. The victim was treated at SF General Hospital and SFPD says that the crime is under investigation.

Knocked out and robbed

A 55-year-old man was walking around Lane and Van Dyke streets on May 28th at 9:30pm when he was hit on the back of the head with an unidentified object. He briefly lost conscious and woke up to find three suspects going through his pockets and removing money. The suspects fled on foot and the victim was taken to SF General Hospital.

Caught in the crossfire             

On May 28th, a 66-year-old man was standing at a bus stop on the 4900 block of Third Street. He heard a gun fire several shots and then noticed that his leg was grazed by a bullet. The victim was taken to SF General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Police officers found several spent shell casings, but no arrest has been made.

SFPD making time to play with kids at the new Gilman Playground. | Photo by Meaghan M. Mitchell/Hoodline

Pepper-sprayed outside church

On May 29th around 6:14pm, a 64-year-old woman parked her car to walk into a church when a woman ran up to her, started yelling, and pepper-sprayed her in the face. The suspect then ran off. This incident took place on the 800th block of Newhall.

Vehicle arson

Also on May 29th, at 3:30pm, officers were called to the scene of a vehicle fire at Third & Quesada. SFPD states that an arrest was made.

Snatched purse, stolen iPhone

On May 30th at approximately 6:45am, a 21-year-old woman was listening to music on her iPhone while walking on the 2100th block of Revere when she was approached from behind by two female suspects. The first suspect snatched her purse off her shoulder. As she fought to retrieve her purse from the first suspect, the iPhone fell out of her pocket and was snatched by the other suspect. Suspect one then punched her in the stomach and both suspects fled the scene.

Drug deal

On May 31st, officers in plainclothes witnessed a hand-to-hand crack cocaine transaction on the 4500 block of Third Street. Both the buyer and seller were arrested and booked. The buyer was cited with possession, while the deal was cited with sales of narcotics. Both individuals have been released since the incident.

Suspected of snitching

On May 31st, a 24-year-old man, the victim, was walking home on Harbor Road when he was confronted by a person who lives in the area and who had shot him in the face with a BB gun the day before. The suspect accused the victim of “snitching” on him to the police. The suspect then punched and kicked the victim multiple times before fleeing. The suspect’s identifying information was provided to the officers and an arrest warrant is pending.

Loaded gun left on Muni

On June 2nd at 2pm, a man was arrested on the 4700 block of Third Street after calling SFPD regarding a firearm that was inside his backpack, which he'd left on a Muni bus. He mentioned that the gun was not loaded and the backpack was lost, but Muni personnel notified the police from Market and Church with a conflicting story, as a passenger surrendered a backpack containing a loaded 9mm semi automatic pistol. The owner of the gun was booked for possession of a concealed firearm, and the gun was booked into evidence.

Search warrant and arrest for possession

On June 2nd at 9:30pm, officers entered a home of a resident on the 1100 block of Connecticut with a search warrant after obtaining information from a source that the resident was in possession of firearms. The suspect was detained while the home was searched. Officers were able to find a .40 caliber pistol loaded with a “high capacity magazine"; The suspect was arrested and booked on weapons charges. 

Bayview Station's community meetings are held at Bayview Station (201 Williams Ave.) at 6pm on the first Tuesday of the month. The next meeting will be Tuesday, July 5th. 

Have you seen anything noteworthy around the neighborhood lately? If so, send us a tip