FiDi/North Beach crime: Teen robbed at gunpoint; man shot in foot; purse thief injures woman; more

FiDi/North Beach crime: Teen robbed at gunpoint; man shot in foot; purse thief injures woman; morePhoto: Ferdinand Stöhr/Unsplash
Nathan Falstreau
Published on June 18, 2019

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

Suspect arrested after stealing victim's keys to break into building

On June 17 at 2:45 a.m., a 23-year-old man was arrested for robbery on the 600 block of Bush Street (at Stockton) in Nob Hill.

The suspect approached a 31-year-old man and pushed him to the ground. He then took the victim's property, including his keys, which he used to enter the victim's apartment building. Police located the suspect inside the building and took him into custody. The victim's property was returned, and no injuries were reported. 

Purse snatcher injures woman

On the 100 block of Sonoma Street (at Union) in Telegraph Hill on June 16 at 10:30 p.m., a 69-year-old woman had her purse stolen "with force" by a male suspect, believed to be 20-25.

After stealing the purse, the suspect absconded in an unknown direction. The woman was injured in the incident, but refused medical treatment at the scene. 

Three suspects hold victim down, steal wallet

On June 16 at 1:20 a.m., a 37-year-old man was robbed near the intersection of Vallejo Street and Columbus Avenue in North Beach.

A male suspect of unknown age approached the victim and "asked a question," according to police. Two other male suspects then approached the victim from behind, pulled him down to the ground, and took his wallet (containing cash) before fleeing the scene on foot. No injuries or arrests have been reported. 

Two people punched, robbed in daylight at Fisherman's Wharf

In Fisherman's Wharf, near the corner of Mason and Jefferson streets, a 44-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man were injured in a robbery on June 16 at 4:45 p.m.

A male suspect in his early 20s allegedly took money from the woman before two other male suspects — also in their early 20s — punched both of the victims. Another two male suspects in their early 20s were also present during the attack. Both victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries, but refused medical treatment. 

Man shot in the foot by unknown suspect

A shooting was reported on June 15 at 1:08 a.m. on the border of North Beach and Chinatown, near Broadway and Columbus Avenue. 

A suspect of unknown age and gender allegedly shot a 25-year-old man in the foot, then fled the scene. The victim was transported to a hospital for treatment in non-life-threatening condition. 

Phone robber flees in car

On June 11 at 3:50 p.m., a 46-year-old woman was robbed near the corner of Sacramento and Sproule streets in Nob Hill.

The male suspect, believed to be 15-25 years old, grabbed the victim's cellphone and fled the scene in an unknown vehicle. No arrests or injuries were reported. 

Trash can fire reported in the FiDi

Police responded to calls of a trash can on fire on the 600 block of Merchant Street (at Montgomery) in the FiDi on June 10 at 11:42 p.m. The Fire Department arrived and extinguished the fire. No suspect information was available. 

Victim punched and robbed 

A 35-year-old man was robbed in North Beach on June 9 at 12:30 a.m., near Mason and North Point streets. 

A male suspect, 30, punched the victim and took his hat and cellphone before fleeing the scene. The victim was injured in the incident, but refused medical treatment. 

Man snatches woman's phone and flees

On June 8 at 3:57 p.m., a 36-year-old woman was robbed on the 600 block of Market Street (at Second Street) in the FiDi.

The suspect, a man in his early 20s, approached the victim from behind and snatched her cellphone. The woman fell to the ground while trying to get her phone back, and the suspect fled the scene on foot. No injuries or arrests have been reported. 

3 unknown suspects rob teen at gunpoint 

A 17-year-old boy was robbed at gunpoint on the 200 block of Powell Street (at O'Farrell), near Union Square, on June 4 at 10 p.m. 

Three male suspects of unknown age were involved in the incident, according to reports. One of the suspects took the victim's cash and fled the scene. The victim left the scene, and called police when he got home. 


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.