The 4th of July weekend is upon us, and in this week's Central Station newsletter, Captain David Lazar reminds fireworks-minded visitors to Fisherman's Wharf to have fun and be safe. He also notes that officers are prepared to enforce the law. That means no open alcoholic containers or illegal fireworks. Officers will also be on the lookout for illegal venders as well.
As we reported on Monday, a video that has since garnered over a million views shows a Russian Hill armed robbery of three tourists in progress, which was quickly broken up by a team of plainclothes police officers. (Check it out, here.) The Captain also said that he has deployed a police car in the Russian Hill neighborhood to be present seven days a week to help thwart crimes targeted at tourists visiting the crooked street.
Last week, we reported that two suspects stole over $500K worth of jewelry from a Union Square store. But thanks to surveillance video, several Central Station SFPD officers were able to identify the suspects and take them in to custody, as we reported yesterday. Officers were also able to recover some of the stolen property in the arrest.
And now for your weekly crime roundup, culled from SFPD reports from Central Station.
Man steals walking cane, then gives it back
On June 24th at 6:30pm at Broadway and Leavenworth Streets in Russian Hill, a woman, 56, was walking along Broadway when a man, 39, approached the victim and began yelling at her. He took her walking cane and walked away, but he eventually turned around and tossed the cane back to her. The victim did not suffer any injuries and the suspect was taken into custody.
Security guard kicked in the head during retail robbery
Five male suspects in their mid-to-late teens walked into a Union Square store on O'Farrell Street on June 25th at 12:57pm. One of the suspects placed items from a display case into his backpack and left the store. A security guard, 35, contacted the suspects and a fight ensued where the guard was kicked in the head. All five suspects then fled in an unknown direction. The various store items were lost and the victim was transported to a hospital in unknown condition.
Man robbed of necklace
Last week, we reported on the prevalence of necklace grabs, and another has occurred this week. On June 25th at 4:58pm at Jackson and Stockton streets in Chinatown, a man, 25, approached the victim, a 49-year-old man, and grabbed him by the shoulder. The suspect snatched the victim's necklace from his neck, which caused him pain. The suspect then fled into a nearby silver Chevy SUV and fled northbound on Stockton Street.
Woman robbed of purse while walking
Also in Chinatown, at 12:42am on June 26th near Jackson and Stockton streets, a woman was walking when she heard someone exit a vehicle behind her. An unknown suspect, 20-30, approached her from behind and put his arms around her and demanded her property. She felt an unknown object placed against her hip and said she heard two "clicks." The suspect took her purse and then fled on foot, but it is unclear if he got into a vehicle that she heard driving away. The victim lost her purse, passport, ATM card, makeup and keys.
Sleeping victim(s) robbed by hot prowl burglar
A hot prowl burglary occurred on the 400 block of Post Street in Union Square on June 26th at 4:42pm, when a woman, 40-47, entered the room of a man, 24, and a woman, 62, while one or both of them were asleep. There were no signs of forced entry, but the suspect was able to leave with the victims' items: cash, a backpack, makeup, a curling iron and sunglasses.
Robbery attempt thwarted after struggle with security
In another robbery attempt on the 100 block of O'Farrell Street in Union Square, a man, 31, entered a store on June 26th at 8pm and took some items. A loss prevention officer, 30, tried to detain the suspect and a struggle ensued. The merchandise was eventually recovered and the suspect, who was injured, was taken into custody. The victim was transported to a hospital with minor injuries.
Man hit in the head during verbal argument
On June 29th at 8:30pm on the 700 block of Kearny Street in the FiDi, a man, 64, was in an argument with a male suspect, 36. The suspect hit the victim on the back of the head but was later arrested by SFPD. The victim was taken to a hospital in stable condition.
Man robbed of cash while walking
A robbery with force occurred on June 28th at 11:56pm near the Embarcadero, on the 100 block of Market Street, when a man between the ages of 30 and 40 approached the victim, a 28-years-old man, and began to pat him down as he was walking. The suspect ordered the victim not to run and told him that he had a handgun. He then held up his right hand, which was covered by a cloth. The victim believed it to be a handgun, took out cash and threw it at the suspect. While the suspect chased after the money, the victim fled the scene.
