Members of SFPD's Gang Task Force have arrested a suspect in the two armed robberies that took place on the evening of Tuesday, October 27th. According to police, Sekou Carson, 45, is suspected to be behind both an attempted robbery at Roxie's Market (500 Kirkham St.) and an armed robbery at the 76 gas station at the corner of Fell and Divisadero thirty minutes later.
In the first incident, at 6:45 pm, police say Carson "brandished a firearm and demanded money" from a clerk at Roxie's. He fled empty-handed after a fearful victim walked away from the cash register. Within the hour, Carson allegedly took cash from a register at the 76 station at 443 Divisadero, the second armed robbery for the station in the month of October.
That evening, investigating officers from Taraval Station sent images of the suspect, taken from security cameras, to all department-issued smartphones. The next day, officers on the gang task force were at a residential hotel on the 100 Block of Sixth Street when they "immediately" recognized Carson and apprehended him. Investigators recovered evidence related to the robberies, and Carson was booked into SF County Jail, where he was charged with aggravated assault and felony robbery. Carson, who is on post-release community supervision for previous narcotics and weapons convictions, was placed on probation hold.
In 2013, SFPD patrol officers began using JusticeMobile, an app developed by the state Department of Justice. The app, installed on department-issued smartphones, permits police to broadcast information in real time. In a statement to local media, SFPD Chief Greg Suhr said the investigation leading to Carson's arrest "is an example of how great police work is conducted using the best technology available."
Police also use JusticeMobile to check buyers' backgrounds at weekend gun shows, check on outstanding warrants and lookup drivers' license and vehicle registration information without using a radio or computer. "The use of technology, ranging from smartphones to the Department’s Crime Data Warehouse to email crime alerts, has become more important than ever to information-sharing and solving crime," said Suhr.
