A Bay Area hoodlum is set to have a hard time after a San Francisco jury delivered a stinging verdict, convicting the thug for a savage attack and cell phone heist. District Attorney Brooke Jenkins heralded the triumph of justice following the strong-armed robbery that shook the city's Mission Bay neighborhood. Armon Bassett, 37, was nailed with one count of second-degree robbery and battery, DA Jenkins announced Monday.
1/ Today, District Attorney @BrookeJenkinsSF announced the conviction of Armon Bassett after a trial by jury for punching an East Bay man and stealing his cell phone in Mission Bay.
— SF DISTRICT ATTORNEY (@SFDAOffice) May 13, 2024
Mr. Bassett was convicted of one count of second-degree robbery and one count of battery. pic.twitter.com/22piqcFxSm
The court learned that Bassett blindsided an East Bay man on September 4, 2023, cold-cocking him and trying to snatch his phone. As the victim tried to keep his grip, Bassett laid into him until he dropped. "The jury's verdict holds Mr. Bassett accountable and sends a message that brazen lawlessness will not be tolerated in San Francisco," said Jenkins. Bassett faces up to five years to serve for his crimes, with sentencing queued up for June 10.
Evidence and eyewitness accounts painted a clear picture of the daylight robbery. Bassett's victim and friends were crossing the Fourth Street bridge when the assailant struck, grappling for the cell phone. A friend's attempt to chase down Bassett only led to more violence, as he shoved her down and barked a warning. The details were pieced together during the investigation by San Francisco's Southern Station police, with one bystander's photos of Bassett's flight proving particularly damning.
San Francisco's community came to the forefront of the trial as citizens rallied to interrupt the crime, with one nabbing the tossed phone from a bush and returning it to the victim. The combined efforts led to a swift verdict. "A just outcome was achieved in this case because of the San Francisco citizens who witnessed a robbery in progress and took action to stop it," Assistant District Attorney John Roman said. The case was prosecuted by ADA Roman with the help of paralegal Melissa Cruz and IT support by Noaeh Pinaire.
Bassett, who is cooling his heels in custody, will soon learn his fate as the city he terrorized breathes a bit easier. Bassett's sentencing, set for June 10, will close the chapter on this urban ordeal.
