FiDi/North Beach Crime: Knife-wielding hat thief, woman assaulted and robbed at Muni stop, more

FiDi/North Beach Crime: Knife-wielding hat thief, woman assaulted and robbed at Muni stop, morePhoto: Patrick Nouhailler/Flickr
Nathan Falstreau
Published on September 07, 2018

Here are some notable incidents that have taken place in SFPD's Central District since our last biweekly recap. The district encompasses Chinatown, Financial District, Embarcadero, Russian, Telegraph and Nob Hills, North Beach and Union Square. 

Unless otherwise noted, all reports are drawn from the department's daily summary.

Suspect walks into business, demands cash

On September 6 at 10:38 a.m., a business was robbed on the 100 block of California Street in the FiDi.

According to reports, a 50-year-old male suspect entered the business and demanded cash from an employee, a 30-year-old man. The victim handed over an undisclosed amount of money and the suspect then left the scene, walking towards the Embarcadero.  

Elderly man attacked and robbed 

Near the intersection of Geary and Mason streets in Lower Nob Hill on September 4 at 1:42 a.m., a man was transported to a hospital in non-life-threatening condition after being attacked and robbed. 

An unknown suspect approached the victim, 69, from behind and pushed him to the ground. He then took the victim's cell phone and glasses before fleeing the scene on foot. 

Victim assaulted and robbed while working 

At 5:35 a.m. September 3 on the 500 block of Montgomery Street in the FiDi, a 29-year-old man was robbed. 

The victim was working when a unknown white car drove up next to him. Two unknown male suspects got out of the vehicle and attacked the victim. The suspects then went through the victim's pockets and took his wallet, containing a driver's license and cash. 

Video shows suspects lighting a garbage can on fire

Also in the FiDi, police responded to reports of a fire on September 2 at 8:30 a.m. on the 400 block of California Street. 

A witness noticed the fire in an alley, but no suspects were found at the scene. Video surveillance showed three men in their 40s, one of whom started a fire that ultimately destroyed a garbage can. At the time of the report, no arrests had been made.

Suspect robs man's prescription drugs at gunpoint

On August 31 at 1 p.m. near Bush and Hyde streets in Lower Nob Hill, a 65-year-old man was robbed at gunpoint. 

An unknown male suspect approached the victim and pushed him before asking "what meds he had." He then pulled out a gun and held it against the victim, demanding he hand over his belongings. The victim handed over his prescription medication and the suspect fled the scene in an unknown direction. 

Three suspects brandish gun and knives to rob victim

A 28-year-old man was robbed at gunpoint near the corner of Leidesdorff and Pine streets in the FiDi, on August 30 at 9 p.m.

Three male suspects, 18-22, approached the victim. One of the suspects pointed a gun at him and took his mobile phone. The remaining two suspects brandished knives and took his backpack and wallet containing his sunglasses, cash and a laptop. The suspects were last seen fleeing the scene on foot westbound on Pine Street; the victim was uninjured.

Suspect takes phone, demands money for its return

Also in the FiDi, a woman in her early 20s robbed a 23-year-old near New Montgomery and Market streets August 30 at 2:30 p.m.

The victim was talking on her phone when the suspect snatched it. She then "demanded money for it," according to police. The suspect then fled downstairs into the Montgomery Muni station. 

Woman injured during robbery at bus stop

Near Geary and Stockton streets in Union Square, a 32-year-old woman was assaulted and robbed at a Muni stop.

On August 29 just after 8 p.m., the victim was standing at a bus kiosk when a male suspect, 20-30, attacked her and snatched her mobile phone. The suspect fled the scene on foot southbound on Stockton Street. 

The victim was injured in the incident, but it's not clear from reports if she was transported to a hospital for treatment. 

Haberdashery robber brandishes knife in attempt to steal hats

In Fisherman's Wharf on the 100 block of Jefferson Street August 29 at 5:10 p.m., a 25-year-old female store employee was injured during a robbery. 

According to police reports, the 25-year-old male suspect entered a store with a knife and attempted to steal hats. The suspect and the employee struggled over the merchandise, which she was able to recover. The suspect then stole the hat the employee was wearing and fled the scene. The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries. No arrests have been made. 

Suspect punches victim, demands cell phone

Finally, at 12:45 a.m. August 29, near the corner of Bush and Burritt streets in Lower Nob Hill, a 40-year-old man was walking when a male suspect, 25-30, pulled up in an unknown car and got out of the vehicle, asking to use the elder man's phone.

When the victim declined, the suspect struggled to take it away from him. The suspect then punched the victim and demanded he hand over his phone. The victim ultimately complied, and the suspect got back into his car and fled eastbound on Bush Street. 


Anyone who has information about any of these incidents is encouraged to contact SFPD via the department's anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444, or text TIP411 with "SFPD" at the start of the message.

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