CENTRAL DISTRICT NEWSLETTER

Robbery vs. Burglary. We often hear from people, that they were “robbed” or that their “house was robbed.” Sometimes after an investigation, we realize that they were the victim of a burglary. The difference is personal crime vs. property crime. In a robbery, one is confronted by an individual(s) and by means of ‘force or fear’ something is taken from them. The property can certainly vary in value from cash, an iPod, shoes, clothing, laptop, or even a can of soda, just to name a few. No weapon or actual force needs to be shown or produced; merely causing the victim fear is enough to fit the crime category. A person running by and snatching cash, a purse or other item would also fit being a robbery by the force used to take the item without the victim’s consent.

Burglary is a crime that takes place when someone enters a structure with intent to commit a theft or other felony. Generally it takes place in a commercial or residential structure where something is taken without the owners consent. Entry can be made by breaking in, or even through an open door or window. Force is not necessary to commit the act. No owner needs to be present at the time of the crime. Auto burglary takes place when someone breaks into a vehicle and takes something.

We often talk about protecting your personal property. Recently a neighborhood group asked how to prevent being a robbery victim. I made the following suggestions:

My best advice to you and neighbors is:

• Have situational awareness at all times.


• Be especially alert when going into and out of your home and/or car.


• Keep keys ready in your hand or if you have pepper spray or a shriek alarm, keep it also at the ready, it is difficult to fish around for it while being attacked.


• Report suspicious people in the area; let your neighbors know as well.


• If a robbery does occur, try to get as much detail as possible including: age, race, height, weight, hair, clothes, weapon and vehicle including license plates.

For additional tips on crime prevention strategies, check out the SAFE website at: www.sfsafe.org. To have a safety presentation at your community meeting or to schedule an appointment with a commercial or home safety consultant, call SAFE at 553-1984.

Broadway Corridor
Friday May 23, 2008:
Felony arrests made 0
Misdemeanor arrests made 3
Drunk related arrests made 2
Moving citations 32
Parking citations issued 15
Towed vehicles 8
Traffic Company Enforcement: 28 Moving citations, 1 arrest, 1 towed vehicle

Saturday May 24, 2008:
Felony arrests 0
Misdemeanor arrests made 0
Drunk related arrests made 1
Moving citations 17
Parking citations issued 9
Towed vehicles 10

Crimes of Note
5/21/08 @ 2 PM, 1400 block of Grant Avenue- Beat Officer Pete McLaughlin responded to a call of two individuals checking door knobs and vehicles of businesses and vehicles on the street. The 36 year old white male transient immediately became combative and confrontational with the officer while the 55 year old white female was verbally assaultive. The male was pepper sprayed to deter the attack.

On 5/21/08 at 11:30 PM, Officers Magnus Chow and Chris Olson responded to the 1300 block of Taylor to take a “routine” burglary report. The victim told the officers that she left her apartment at noon and returned at 11 PM to find that her home was broken into and several items had been taken. As the officers began to leave, they noticed a common door propped open in the hallway. The officers investigated and made their way to the basement where they discovered 2 males living inside a crawlspace behind a hole in the wall. The two admitted to “squatting,” including using electricity to power a television and laptop. The officers searched the area and located the stolen items from the burglary upstairs. This was an excellent piece of follow up police work by these two officers.

On 5/22/08 at 10 PM, Officers Vien Lam and Magnus Chow responded to a call of an auto burglary at Pine and Hyde Street. As they responded they were redirected to Larkin and Fern. The officers saw a 44 year old black male holding a bag. The suspect related, “This is my bag, this guy is following me.” The officers spoke to the witness who said he was riding by Pine and Hyde and observed the suspect break into a vehicle and take the bag. The witness called police and followed the suspect from his bicycle. The vehicle and victim were located and it was confirmed that the bag was stolen from the car.

5/23/08 at 1:30 AM- 800 block of Geary. Officers Rene Nielsen and Matt Sullivan arrested a 28 year old white male for soliciting acts of prostitution.

5/23/08 at 3:15 PM- 100 block of Jefferson. Wharf Beat Officer Nick Rainsford was flagged down by a complainant who told him that 3 suspects were bilking tourists out of cash by using a fraud scheme referred to as “Three Card Monty.” Although in full uniform, Officer Rainsford coordinated units to respond as he discretely approached. The suspect was apprehended with the tools of the game and over #300 in cash. As he detained the individual, Officer Rainsford was approached by tourists from San Jose and Pennsylvania who said the suspect, a 54 year old black male from Oakland, CA cheated them out of over $160 in cash.

5/25/08 at 8:30 AM, 1100 block of Washington Street. Employees of the MUNI cable car barn called about a white male that was seen breaking into a parked car. Officer Terry Laubach responded and took custody of the suspect, being held by witnesses. The vehicle owner, another cable car gripman came up and identified the car and property that Officer Laubach recovered from the suspect.

5/25/08 at 10 PM on the 300 block of Jefferson Street. The victim called out to a friend in the restaurant when a group of young men confronted him. The 18-19 year old suspects mentioned gang affiliations and attacked the victim, causing several cuts and bruises. Officers Rene Nielsen and Matt Sullivan detained the suspects, who were booked for felony assault. Evidence photo’s were taken of the suspects gang tattoos and clothing.

5/25/08, midnight at Stockton and Vallejo Streets. Officers Eric Letsch and Kevin Worrell responded to a street flower vendor who said three young men caused a disturbance and broke a flower that one eventually paid for. The three were admonished and released. A short while later, a victim of a street robbery responded to Central Station to make a report. The officers overheard the description and determined that the three young men were the same suspects. The officers searched the area and arrested the suspects on the 700 block of Pacific. Three suspects from Oakland were charged with robbery and possession of stolen property.