While we don't report on every police report filed, we do our best to keep you informed of major crimes and safety concerns in the neighborhood. Here's a selection of crimes reported around SoMa within the first half of October. All details are pulled from the SFPD's daily crime recaps, unless otherwise noted.
Marriott Marquis Sexual Assault & Suicide
KQED reported yesterday that the SFPD is investigating a suicide and sexual assault that both occurred Oct. 11th during a convention at the Marriott Marquis, and are believed to be linked. Alexander Damhuis, a 26-year-old Brooklyn man, was in town for the Cardiovascular Research Foundation's conference this week when he jumped off the hotel's roof and died at the scene.
Hours later, a housekeeper was found in a guest room, suffering from life-threatening injuries from an apparent sexual assault. "Evidence was located at the scene of the assault that links the assault and the suicide together,” SFPD's Officer Grace Gatpandan told KQED, saying she could not elaborate further at this time.
Three Stabbings In Central SoMa
At about 1am on Oct. 11th, a 47-year-old man was stabbed multiple times in the torso at Eighth and Folsom streets. With non life-threatening injuries, the victim was able to walk to Eighth and Natoma streets and have someone call 911. No arrest was made, and police have no details on the suspect or weapon.
A 42-year-old man was stabbed at 9pm Oct. 5th at Sixth and Mission streets. The suspect, 24, and the victim were arguing when the suspect stabbed the victim in the arm with a knife and fled. No arrest was made that night.
At about 2:30am the previous day, a 40-year-old man was stabbed by a woman in her 20s. According to police, the two met at Sixth and Natoma streets and the suspect asked “if he wanted service.” When the pair went between parked cars, the suspect pulled out a knife and cut the victim on the cheek before fleeing. No arrest was made that morning.
ATM Robbery
A woman, 39, was robbed by a man, age 17-19, while using an ATM at First and Mission streets around 3:45pm on Oct. 8th. Once the money came out of the machine, the suspect pushed the victim, grabbed the money and ran. There were no injuries or arrests. Similar incidents occurred in Chinatown last week and Union Square the week before.
Kidnapping And Robbery
At about 7:30am on Oct. 1st, a 50-year-old man was kidnapped and robbed on the 400 block of Berry Street. Despite a minor head injury, the victim was able to escape and the suspect was subsequently arrested.
Aggravated Assault
A man, 30, was attacked at about 10pm Oct. 2nd while standing outside a restaurant on the 900 block of Harrison. The suspect, a 20-30 year old man, approached the victim and hit him on the head with a wooden board. A witness attempted to chase the suspect, but was unsuccessful in catching him.
Critical Collision
On Oct. 5th, 64-year-old woman was struck and critically injured by a van at Third and Brannan streets. Last Friday, SFPD Officer Albie Esparza said the department's investigation was ongoing. If the driver is found to be at fault, he would face charges for failing to yield to a pedestrian—or, if the victim dies, vehicular manslaughter. We've reached out to the SFPD for an update on the case, and will share any further information.
Vehicle Theft
Finally, we reported last week on a CHP pursuit that took a strange turn. At about 2:45pm on Oct. 7th, a man who was pulled over by CHP on suspicion of driving a stolen vehicle ran from the scene into a building at 10th and Harrison, where he threatened to jump out of the second-story window. After hours of negotiation with SFPD, the suspect's mother brought his cat to the scene, which convinced him to descend safely.
