FiDi & North Beach Crime: Robbery At Gunpoint, Woman Thwarts Purse Snatcher, MorePhoto: Nathan Falstreau/Hoodline
Nathan Falstreau
Published on May 08, 2017

May is here, which means it's time for another look at crime in District 3, which includes the Financial District, North Beach, and Union Square.

Here's an overview of some of the incidents reported since our last roundup. Unless otherwise noted, all reports are based on information from SFPD. 

Four suspects arrested after gunpoint robbery

A man, 28, and a woman, 25, were walking along the 1700 block of Stockton Street in North Beach on April 23rd, just before midnight, when a vehicle pulled up next to them.

Four suspects in their late teens or early 20s exited and surrounded the pair. One of the suspects brandished a handgun and demanded they hand over their property.

The victims complied, handing over a purse, cellphone, headphones, cash and keys. The suspects then hopped back into their car, fleeing the scene by heading north on Stockton Street. SFPD officers nearby later stopped the vehicle and arrested the four suspects. 

Nob Hill lobby intruder maces woman, steals purse

On May 5th, at 10:40pm, a woman, 51, was robbed by another woman in her late 20s to mid–30s on the 1400 block of Larkin Street. The victim confronted the suspect in the lobby of a building and told her to leave.

The suspect then sprayed her with mace. During the commotion, she dropped her purse, and the suspect fled the scene with the victim's purse, cash, and cellphone. The victim suffered minor injuries, but was not transported to a hospital. 

Purse snatcher thwarted after altercation

Just before 9pm on April 25th, a woman, 27, was standing on the corner of Geary and Taylor Streets in Union Square, when another woman in her late 20s came up from behind and snatched her purse.

The victim chased after the suspect. During the struggle, the victim was able to retrieve her purse. However, the suspect made off with her mobile phone and fled south on Jones Street. The victim suffered minor injuries to her face and hand and was treated at the scene. 

Suspect arrested after attempted purse robbery

On April 28th, at 7:45pm, a man, 53, attempted to steal a purse from a store on the 200 block of Grant Avenue in Union Square. Two women, 24 and 26, who worked at the store, tried to stop the suspect from fleeing.

However, the suspect told them he had a gun, and they let him go. Police officers nearby were able to locate the suspect later on Market Street and took him into custody. No firearm was found. 

Two teens arrested after robbery 

On April 23rd, at 3:30am, two 15-year-old males came up behind a 42-year-old woman on the 500 block of Market Street in the Financial Distric. The teens pushed the woman, then stole her cellphone. The teens ran away on foot, but officers arrived and took them into custody. 

Hot prowler snags bikes

A hot prowl burglary occurred on the 300 block of Lombard Street on Telegraph Hill around 3am, May 5th. A woman, 46, and a man, 59 heard a noise at their home but did not investigate. Later, one of the victims discovered that the garage door was open and several bicycles were missing. 

Laptop thief flees scene

On April 27th, just after 11pm, a 29-year-old woman was pushed by a male suspect in his 20s on 2nd and Market Street. He then nabbed her laptop and fled the scene on foot. 

Note: Central Station's next community meeting is tonight at 6pm, Grace Cathedral on 1100 California St.