FiDi & North Beach Crime: Brass Knuckle Attack, Hammer-Wielding Shoplifter, MorePhoto: Geri Koeppel/Hoodline
Nathan Falstreau
Published on July 03, 2017

Summer is in full swing and it's the first of the month, which means it's time for another look at crime in SFPD's Central District, which includes Chinatown, Financial District, Embarcadero, Russian, Telegraph and Nob Hills, North Beach, and Union Square.

Sgt. Dominic Panina, Sgt. Joseph Fischer and Sgt. Patrick Tobin. | Photo: Courtesy of SFPD's Central Station

In this week's Central Station newsletter, Captain Paul Yep recognized three Central Station officers and congratulates them on their upcoming retirement. 

"We would like to congratulate Sgt. Dominic Panina, Sgt. Joseph Fischer and Sgt. Patrick Tobin on their retirement on June 19, 2017," wrote Capt. Yep. "We wish you all the best! Central Station and the Central District will miss you all!"

Here are some of the incidents that have taken place since our last report. Unless otherwise noted, all reports are based on information from SFPD.

FiDi Assailants Rob Man Of Cash, Shoes

Near the corner of Market and Drumm on June 29th at 3:15am, three unknown male suspects approached a man, 49, who was walking and attacked him.

The suspects stole a wallet containing cash and the victim's shoes before absconding on foot. The victim suffered minor injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment. 

Hammer-wielding Shoplifter Arrested

On June 29th at 7pm on the 500 Block of Market Street, a 19-year-old man walked into a store and attempted to steal some markers and a pair of pliers.

When a 25-year-old man intervened, the suspect picked up a hammer and threatened to harm him before fleeing the store with the stolen goods. The suspect was later taken into custody by police and the stolen items were returned. 

Five Female Shoplifters Swarm Union Square Store

Five women aged approximately 16 to 22 entered a Union Square store carrying large bags and began putting items inside. When a 21-year-old male employee tried to stop them before they attempted to leave without paying, three women pushed him and fled the scene. In total, the suspects got away with a purse and some belts. 

Suspect Brandishes Gun, Robs Russian Hill Victim

A 29-year-old man was walking westbound on the 900 block of Bay Street on June 26th at 7:30am when an unknown man in his early 30s tapped him on the shoulder.

When the victim turned around, the suspect exposed the grip of a handgun and told him to hand over his belongings. The victim complied, handing over his phone, wallet, backpack, laptop and other items, and the suspect fled. 

Man Robbed At Gunpoint In Chinatown

On June 26th just before 3am near the corner of Clay and Stockton Streets, a 41-year-old man was walking when an unknown suspect in his 20s approached him brandishing a gun in his hand.

The victim complied with the suspect's demand that he hand over his wallet, which contained cash and credit cards. The suspect fled on foot down Stockton Street. 

Suspect Asks To Borrow Victim's Phone Before Mugging

Two men, 23, and 21, were standing near the corner of Greenwich and Hyde Streets in Russian Hill on June 25th at 11:20pm, when four unknown suspects approached them and asked to use one of their phones.

When one of the victims refused, the suspects punched him and stole his phone before fleeing in an unknown vehicle eastbound on Chestnut Street. The victims suffered from minor injuries and were treated at an area hospital. 

Brass Knuckle Assault At Fisherman's Wharf

At 1am on June 25th near the corner of Jefferson and Leavenworth Streets in Fisherman's Wharf, a suspect in his 20s accused a man of looking at his girlfriend who was standing with him.

The suspect, who happened to be wearing brass knuckles, punched the victim causing injury, and the pair fled the scene on foot. The victim was transported to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries and no arrest has been made. 

Shoplifter Causes Disturbance, Assaults 10-Year-Old Girl

On June 20th just before 8pm on the 400 block of Broadway Street in North Beach, a 40-year-old man walked into an establishment and began throwing boxes around the store.

He then attacked a 37-year-old woman and 10-year-old girl, punching them in the stomach and face before snatching a couple of bags of candy and fleeing. The store's proprietor followed the suspect and called police who located him and arrested him. Both victims suffered non-life threatening injuries, but it is unclear if they sought treatment at a hospital.