FiDi & North Beach Crime: Armed Robberies, Carjacking Crash, MorePhoto: Nathan Falstreau/Hoodline
Nathan Falstreau
Published on October 09, 2017

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.

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

Woman recovers phone after robbery

On October 5th at 11:23am, a robbery occurred near the corner of Bush and Kearny streets in the Financial District.

A woman, 25, was walking in the area when another woman in her early-to-mid 20s snatched her cell phone and fled. The victim ran after the suspect, who pushed her to the ground.

The victim continued the chase until the suspect handed the phone back to her. She suffered minor injuries, but was not taken to a hospital. No arrest has been made. 

Gun-wielding robber flees with stolen backpack

Another robbery occurred on October 3rd at 1:40pm, near Jefferson and Taylor streets in Fisherman's Wharf.

The victim, a 65-year-old man, noticed two male suspects in their 20s or 30s break into his car and steal his backpack.

The victim chased one of the suspects, who fled to an awaiting car. When the victim confronted him, the suspect threatened him with a handgun and fled in the vehicle. 

The victim lost his backpack and cell phone in the incident. He was not injured. No arrests were made.

Two robbed at gunpoint, suspect fires weapon

On October 2nd, just before midnight, a 25-year-old man and 27-year-old woman were robbed at gunpoint near Jones and Green streets in Russian Hill.

Two male suspects in their early 20s approached and pointed a gun at the victims, demanding their property. The victims handed over a bag containing a speaker, cell phones and cash. One of the suspects then pushed the woman before fleeing on foot.

The male victim then chased after the suspects. One of the suspects allegedly shot at him, but the victim was not injured. No arrests were made.

Two armed men flee with cash after stick-up

An armed robbery occurred on October 2nd at 5:45pm on the first block of Wentworth Place in the Financial District. Two male suspects 18-20 entered a store, brandishing handguns and demanding cash.

The five victims—two men, 54 and 44; and three women, 38, 27, and 46—handed over money. The suspects fled in an unknown direction. No injuries were reported, and no arrests were made.

Man pepper-sprayed and robbed 

On October 1st, just before midnight, two suspects in their 20s pepper-sprayed a man near 2nd and Market streets in the Financial District. 

The victim fell to the ground after the attack; while he was down, one of the suspects punched him. The second suspect rummaged through his pockets and took money and an ATM card. Both absconded in an unknown direction.

The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. No arrests were made.

Victim who intervened in argument assaulted 

On September 30th at 2am, an assault occurred on the corner of Grant Avenue and Green Street in North Beach.

A man had intervened in an argument, when an unknown male suspect punched him. The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital. No arrest has been made. 

Arrest made after carjacking suspect crashes vehicle 

On September 30th, just after midnight near Broadway and Battery streets in the Financial District, a 40-year-old man was carjacked at gunpoint. The suspect was apprehended a short while later after crashing the vehicle; for more information, see our full story.

Hot prowl burglar arrested 

On September 29th at 1:09am, an attempted hot prowl burglary occurred on the first block of Hodges Alley in North Beach.

The victim, a 26-year-old woman, saw a 28-year-old man enter her bedroom. She confronted the suspect in the bedroom, and he grabbed her. She was able to break free from the suspect, and he fled the house on foot in an unknown direction.

The victim was not injured. Police later located the suspect and arrested him. 

Knife-wielding robbers nab phone

A robbery occurred on September 26th at 9pm near 2nd and Market streets in the Financial District. 

A woman in her late 20s asked to use a 19-year-old man's cell phone. When he handed it over, a male suspect—described as being 15 to 30 years of age— approached from behind and held him at knifepoint. A third male suspect—also described as being 15 to 30-years-old—approached and took the phone from the woman. The three then walked away from the scene.

The victim was not injured, and no arrests were made. 

Victim robbed of jewelry at gunpoint 

On September 26th, at 9:05am, a 27-year-old man was robbed at gunpoint near Jones and Greenwich streets in Russian Hill.

The victim was walking in the area, when a male suspect in his 30s approached, pointed a gun at him, and ordered him to remove his jewelry. The victim complied, and the suspect absconded in an unknown vehicle. The victim was not injured in the incident. No arrests were made.

If you have any information regarding any of these incidents, contact police anonymously by calling 415-575-4444, or text your tip to TIP411 with “SFPD” at the start of your message.

Here’s why we usually don’t include suspect descriptions in crime reports.