A high-speed pursuit through the streets of San Francisco ended in an unconventional arrest on Tuesday afternoon. San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) officers encountered 23-year-old Natomee Hinton, a suspect wanted for a violent felony, around 12:45 p.m. at Market and Jones streets, leading to a tense chase captured on video and shared on social media. The SFPD's official statement noted that no serious injuries were reported despite the dangerous driving, which included running red lights and going the wrong way through streets.
Statement on Wanted Suspect Taken into Custody:
— San Francisco Police (@SFPD) August 28, 2025
On August 26, 2025, at approximately 12:45 p.m., San Francisco Police officers from the DMACC Enforcement Team observed a known suspect wanted for a violent felony out of Southern California in the area of Market and Jones… pic.twitter.com/FM5tkJ6RBL
Officers first attempted to disable the suspect's vehicle using spike strips and by boxing in the car. Still, Hinton managed to reverse on the sidewalk, putting officers at risk before slamming into other vehicles and driving away. The pursuit, which also involved the SFPD's drone unit and Real Time Investigation Center, briefly continued through several districts, as Hinton disobeyed multiple traffic laws. The SFPD decided to terminate the pursuit due to safety concerns for the public.
In the aftermath, officers located Hinton in the water beneath Pier 30, with the SFPD Marine Unit assisting in the capture. He was subsequently booked on multiple charges, including assault with a deadly weapon and felony hit and run. SFPD Chief Paul Yep stated in a release, "I want to thank our officers who acted heroically to confront a violent suspect endangering the lives of officers and the public."
Details provided by the The Standard highlight how the incident rapidly escalated into a spectacle, drawing immediate social media attention. Video footage from the scene, posted by TenderloinActivites on Instagram, featured the officers' frantic attempts to apprehend Hinton, even inadvertently disabling one of their vehicles. This chase adds to the ongoing debate regarding police pursuits and their safety, following the recent voter decision to loosen pursuit rules under Proposition E.
