Here's the latest in noteworthy Inner Sunset crime, taken from SFPD reports over the two weeks since our last roundup. Notice any criminal activity around the neighborhood? Send us a tip.
Fatal Motorcycle Hit-And-Run
A 67-year-old woman was killed on Friday night after being hit by a motorcycle on the 1700 block of 24th Avenue. At 6:41 pm, officers from Taraval Station responded to the hit-and-run call; according to their report, a maroon Harley-Davidson motorcycle was traveling northbound at excessive speed when it struck the victim, Bonnie Lien, who was crossing the street.
Lien was transported to San Francisco General Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. The suspect, Wayne Valairs of San Francisco, allegedly fled on foot after parking his motorcycle nearby.
According to a preliminary investigation, Lien was not using a crosswalk, and the motorcycle was passing a double-parked vehicle when the collision occurred. Police used the impounded motorcycle and video evidence from "multiple locations."
Valairs was taken into custody the following day and charged with felony hit-and-run, vehicular manslaughter and speeding. SFPD encourages anyone who may have witnessed the accident to contact them anonymously by calling 415-575-4444 or texting TIP411 and starting the message with "SFPD."
Taxi Strikes Pedestrian
A Toyota Prius taxi struck a pedestrian in a crosswalk at Santiago and 32nd Avenue on November 15th, around 1:50 am. A unit from Taraval Station that reported the incident said the victim was knocked unconscious, and was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Armed Robbery
On November 16th, officers from Park Station responded to an armed robbery call just after midnight on Park Ridge Drive. The victim had her red clutch wallet, with her credit and debit cards inside, stolen after a suspect approached her "and brandished a knife." The suspect fled on foot and was not apprehended.
Hot Prowl Burglaries
Two hot prowl burglaries on Sunday, November 15th generated calls to Taraval Station. On the 1500 block of 44th Avenue, an 81-year-old victim told police that she was awakened by the mailman on Monday, because her garage door was open. Upon closer inspection, she determined that her car had been broken into.
Not far away, on the 1900 block of 45th Avenue, a resident called police to report the theft of her bicycle from her garage, as well as a garage door opener from a vehicle that was parked in her driveway. No suspects were identified in either case.
Assault At A Pizza Shop
Last night, police responded to a report of a robbery with force at the corner of Ninth Ave. and Irving Street. At 6:43 pm, a woman reported that she was walking out of a pizza place when a man approached her, punched her in the face, "took a bite of the pizza and then walked away."
The victim refused transport to the hospital, but complained of swelling to the side of her face. The suspect was not apprehended, but anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to call Taraval Station's anonymous tip line at 415-242-9753 or use their online form.
Tonight, Taraval Station holds its monthly community meeting from 7-8 pm, at 2345 24th Ave. The meeting's agenda includes an overview of crime in the district, information about upcoming events and an opportunity for attendees to ask questions of Capt. Denise Flaherty.
JOIN US on Wed, 11/18 #CommunityMeeting 7-8 PM @SFPDTaraval Station- 2345 24th Ave https://t.co/PTbwGIRimS #SFPD pic.twitter.com/r7kj9Gz73T
— SFPD Taraval Station (@SFPDTaraval) November 16, 2015
