It's February and the new lunar year is upon us, which means it's time for another look at crime in District 3. Here's what's occurred in neighborhood crime since our last roundup.

In this week's Central Station newsletter, Captain David Lazar reminds residents to drive safe during the heavy rainfall that we've been experiencing. 

"Please give yourself enough time to get where you need to be," he writes. "This afternoon, I watched as a truck almost hit two elderly ladies in the crosswalk at Powell and Vallejo."

Also, today is the annual Chinese Lunar New Year Parade, beginning at 5:15pm. The festive floats will kickoff from Market and 2nd streets, traverse though Union Square and then make its way to its final destination at Kearny and Columbus in North Beach. 

Capt. Lazar also mentions that he has been nominated by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce as an Honorary Parade Marshall. "This is a tremendous honor for me and I am fortunate to work with an incredible community in Chinatown," he said. "Our Chinatown foot beat officers and officers assigned to the Ping Yuen do a great job keeping the community safe."

Now, on to our bi-weekly crime roundup, culled from daily SFPD recaps. 

Passenger Robbed At Gunpoint 

Just after midnight February 10th, three suspects robbed a 20-year-old man at gunpoint in the Financial District. The suspects, men in their 20s, were reportedly driving with the victim, looking for a convenience store, when two of the suspects pulled out handguns, pointed them at the victim and demanded his property. The victim handed over his cellphone, wallet and cash and was kicked out of the vehicle at 3rd and Market.

Purse Snatching 

A 32 year-old woman was at Pier 33 on the Embarcadero around 1:50pm February 8th when an unknown suspect approached her from behind and tugged on her purse. After several attempts, the suspect snatched the bag, and ran away and hopped into getaway vehicle. The victim was not injured but lost her purse and wallet containing cash and credit cards. 

Bus Stop Robbery At Gunpoint 

A man was robbed at gunpoint around 9:35pm February 8th while waiting for a bus near the corner of North Point and Van Ness in Russian Hill. The victim, 28, was sitting at the bus stop when two men in their 20s approached. One of the suspects brandished a handgun and grabbed the victim's backpack. The second suspect swiped the victim's cellphone and demanded more items. After taking cash from the victim as well, both suspects fled eastbound on foot along North Point.

Market Street Store Robbed At Gunpoint

Two men in their mid to late 20s walked into a store on the 500 block of Market Street and stole food and drinks around 9pm February 7th. One of the suspects brought the goods up to the front counter, but the other suspect walked past the counter and reportedly said to his accomplice, "Let's go." The pair then walked out of the story without paying. When one employee, 50, ran after them, one of the suspects pulled out a gun and pointed it at her. The victim ran back into the store, and the suspects fled eastbound on Market.

Broadway Hot Prowl

A hot-prowl burglary occurred between 3 and 3:30pm on the 600 block of Broadway  in North Beach. The victim, a 48-year-old woman, was sleeping at home. When she woke up, she noticed that her backpack, containing her cellphone and cash, had been stolen.

2 Arrested In Union Square Cellphone Robbery—With Handgun

A 36-year-old man was robbed of his cellphone by three men wielding a handgun at 3:55pm February 5th near the corner of O'Farrell and Stockton in Union Square. All three suspects, including two minors, fled of on foot. However, police later apprehended and arrested two.

19-Year-Old Robbed At Gunpoint 

At 10:25pm February 5th, a man, 19, was walking at Davis and Sacramento toward the Embarcadero when three 18-year-olds approached him. One pulled out a gun, pointed it at him and demanded his belongings. The two other suspects then searched the victim's pockets, snatched his phone and fled on foot.

3 Teens Pistol Whip, Rob Man

A 47-year-old man was robbed at gunpoint by three teenagers at 9:35pm February 4th in the Financial District. The victim was walking near Montgomery Street and Gold Alley when he was approached by three teens, who pushed him into the alley and demanded his property. One of the suspects then pulled out a gun and struck the victim. The three stole the victim's wallet and watch before fleeing on foot. No arrest was made.

3 Teens Rob Man At Gunpoint

At 9:41pm the same night, three teens robbed a man near Jackson and Montgomery—not far from the previously reported crime. The victim, 28, was walking when he heard a yell that someone had a gun. Three teens then turned the corner, pointed a gun at the victim and demanded money. He handed over his watch and wallet containing cash. The teens then fled on foot.

As a reminder, Central Station's monthly community meetings have been moved to the first Monday of each month. The next meeting will be 6–7pm March 6th at Grace Cathedral, 1100 California St.