In this week's SFPD Central Station newsletter, Capt. David Lazar recaps several points made at a recent meeting with residents of a condo complex on Bush Street. He writes, "In my short time with them, I was able to discuss crime prevention and safety. I was impressed with their ability to almost eliminate crime in their building."
Some of their successes, he continued, included a good video surveillance system, a security guard in the lobby, being mindful of not letting people "tailgate" into secured buildings, and getting to know their neighbors.
Capt. Lazar also warns neighbors to beware of a rash of "shoulder surfing" at ATMs. "This occurs when the suspect comes up behind a person who is using an ATM machine," he writes. "The suspect pushes the victim out of the way in the middle of a transaction, overpowers them and begins withdrawing money." Be aware, and cancel your transaction if you see anything suspicious. "The majority of the reports we receive are on Powell Street and on Stockton Street," he advises.
The newsletter has updates on the latest Central Station personnel transfers, and other additional robberies, assaults, thefts and more crimes not reported here. It also includes recent press releases and notices from the SFPD. The reports below are issued by the SFPD in daily recaps, except where noted.
Mystery man sets fire to bag of bottles
At 11pm on March 18th, on Himmelman Place (between Broadway and Pacific Avenue near Taylor Street) on Nob Hill, a man, 24, opened his door and saw a man in dark clothing setting a grocery bag with bottles in it on fire. The bag was smoking, and the victim called 911.
Beer and salami theft takes a violent turn
A beer and salami theft turned violent at a bakery on the 100 block of Jefferson Street in Fisherman's Wharf at 7:24pm March 19th. The suspect, a 20-year-old man, walked into a bakery and took a bottle of beer and a stick of salami, concealing them in his jacket. He exited the store, and a man, 35, stopped him to question him about the items. The suspect sprayed pepper spray in his face, then punched him in the face before fleeing the scene. The victim was taken to the hospital with a cut on his eye.
Four men, two with bats, mug teenager
Four men approached a 14-year-old boy from behind on the 800 block of Jackson Street in Chinatown at 7:30pm March 19th. They went into the victim's pockets, taking his wallet and MP3 player. The teen said he was scared because two of the men were holding baseball bats.
Man jumped outside club; cell phone stolen
While outside a club on the 900 block of Market Street in Union Square, three men jumped a 19-year-old man and took his phone while he was on the ground. They fled in an unknown direction. The victim suffered a bruise to his eye, but refused medical transport.
Woman recovers cell phone after robber drops it
At 1:26am March 22nd, a man grabbed a cellphone from a woman, 22, on the 200 block of Sansome Street in the FiDi. A struggle ensued, and the suspect gained control over the cellphone and ran from the scene. However, he dropped it, and the victim was able to recover it.
Gateway woman receives disturbing note under door
Sometime between 7–8:30am on March 24th, a female resident of the Gateway Apartments and Townhomes in the FiDi told us someone left a disturbing note under her door indicating she was being watched, which left her feeling threatened. She reported the incident to SFPD and to Gateway management, which posted fliers in the elevators warning people to close their blinds, to not allow non-residents into the secured building and to be aware of anyone suspicious in the building.
The resident asked building management to install more security cameras, but they declined. SFPD also suggested she install a security camera on the outside of her door. She told us she asked management about installing one, but was told that would violate her lease.
Another mysterious fire set
Another firebug was on the loose, this time on the 1200 block of Pine Street in Lower Nob Hill at 3:01pm March 24th. A man, about 30–40, was seen walking along side of a building to the rear carport area. After about five minutes, another man, 71, noticed the building was on fire. The suspect was seen on video walking away from the rear of the building. Engine 41 and Battalion 4 extinguished the fire, and the suspect fled the scene.
