FiDi/North Beach crime: 13-year-old robbed in smash & grab, man arrested for mailbox fire, morePhoto: Tony Fischer/Flickr
Nathan Falstreau
Published on July 29, 2019

Here are some notable incidents 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 smashes window of car with teen girl inside

A 13-year-old girl was robbed on July 28 at 11:10 a.m. on the 700 block of Leavenworth Street in Lower Nob Hill. 

According to police, a male suspect, 30-45, smashed the window of a car with the girl inside and "grabbed at [her] purse, which was on her lap." The victim struggled to maintain control of her belongings, but the suspect was able to snatch the bag and fled the scene on a bicycle. No injuries were reported.

Man punched after suspect breaks into his car

A 38-year-old man was robbed by three unidentified male suspects on July 28 at 9:43 a.m. near the intersection of Greenwich and Leavenworth streets in Russian Hill.

The victim approached one of the suspects after he broke into his parked car and took his bag containing a wallet, cash and credit cards. The suspect then punched the victim and jumped into an awaiting sedan with two other suspects before fleeing the scene.

2 suspects rob Union Square business

Two unidentified suspects robbed a Union Square business on the 100 block of Grant Avenue on July 28 at 4 a.m., according to reports. 

The suspects "forced their way into the business and stole several purses," police said. Additional information connected to the incident was not  immediately available.

Woman stabbed after fight

A 23-year-old woman was stabbed near Geary and Powell streets at Union Square on July 27 at 2:40 a.m. 

The suspect, a 23-year-old man, allegedly stabbed the victim in the leg after a physical altercation. She was transported to an area hospital for treatment of her non-life-threatening injuries and no arrest has been made.

Police arrest man for lighting mail box on fire

Police responded to calls of a fire on the corner of Sansome and Bush streets in the FiDi July 26 at 5:30 p.m., and arrested a 50-year-old man connected to the incident. 

The suspect lit a piece of paper on fire and placed it inside of a mail box, police said. He was taken into custody at the scene. No injuries or damages were reported.

Suspect injures victim during robbery

A 59-year-old man was injured in a robbery on July 25 at 10:45 p.m., at the intersection of Washington and Kearny streets in Chinatown.

The suspect, a 40-year-old man, approached the victim, "and after a brief struggle," took his backpack and fled. The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the incident and was later transported to a hospital for treatment. No arrests have been made.

2 youth snag woman's phone

Two male juveniles robbed a 30-year-old woman at Battery and Halleck streets in the FiDi on July 25 at 2:47 p.m. 

The victim was on her mobile phone when the two suspects approached from behind and snatched the device from her before fleeing the scene on foot. No injuries or arrests were reported in the incident.

3 suspects attack man, knocking him unconscious 

Three unidentified male suspects assaulted a 59-year-old man, causing an injury, on July 21 at 11 p.m. near the corner of Washington Street and Waverly Place in Chinatown.

The victim was walking on the street when the three suspects attacked him, causing him to lose consciousness. He was later transported to a hospital with bruises and cuts to his head, face and ears in non-life-threatening condition.

Woman arrested after stabbing a man during altercation

A 53-year-old man was stabbed on the 700 block of Sutter Street in Lower Nob Hill July 18 at noon. 

The victim got into an argument with the suspect, a 37-year-old woman, who stabbed him before fleeing the scene. Officers in the area were able to locate the suspect and take her into custody. The victim was transported for treatment of his non-life-threatening injuries.


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.