Over the past few days, there has been a string of burglaries of single family dwellings. They have occurred in the late night and early morning hours in the West Portal, St. Francis Wood and Forest Hill neighborhoods. The residences have been entered through rear and side windows or doors, with the burglar taking laptop computers and other valuables. On numerous occasions, residents were home asleep when the burglaries occurred.
We formulated a plan to address this crime series. Part of the plan, over the past four days, was to saturate the affected neighborhoods with plainclothes officers from Taraval Station. This was a coordinated effort aimed at being able to respond to a reported crime within seconds and seal off the possible escape route of a suspect or suspects. The plan also focused on public awareness and the importance of immediately reporting any suspicious activity.
Yesterday morning (4/19/09) at 1:45 AM, a couple asleep on Forest Side, in West Portal, heard noises in their home. They awoke to an escaping burglar, who had entered through a ground level side window and then gone into the residence. The suspect took a laptop computer, iPhone and camera. The residents called 911 and Taraval officers responded to the scene, surrounding the area within seconds. Officers Jose Guardado, Duane Elzey, Juan Gala and Gregory Pak were part of a larger group of officers in the area. They spotted a man at the West Portal tunnel who was acting suspiciously and in possession of a bag with a computer and camera, partly sticking out of the bag. The suspect was trying to hide himself in a bus shelter and was constantly peering out at a nearby marked police car. The officers detained the suspect, found a witness who saw the suspect walking with the bag and found the victims' iPhone, camera and laptop.
Subsequent investigation revealed that three other residences on Forest Side and Magellan were burglarized in the early morning hours today as well. Some of the property from a burglary on Magellan was found in the bag controlled by the suspect.
The suspect, who is on parole for a burglary conviction, and has addresses in the South of Market and in Visitacion Valley, was arrested for burglary, receiving stolen property, and a parole violation. The investigation by members of the Taraval Police Station, Burglary Detail Inspectors and the Crime Scene Investigations Unit continues.
We are proud of the work of the officers of Taraval Police Station to protect our community.
Showing posts with label Taraval Station. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Taraval Station. Show all posts
Monday, April 20, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Excellent Communication, Cooperation Between Units Nets Robbery Arrests
Taraval Station Update - Captain Paul Chignell
4/7/09, 6 PM - At Crespi and 7th, a man was confronted by a gun-wielding suspect demanding his money. The victim resisted and the suspect ran to a waiting getaway car driven by a second suspect. The victim used his cell phone to call the police. The description of the suspects’ red Chevrolet was broadcast throughout the city by Taraval officers. A similar robbery occurred, with the same suspects, at Herman and Fillmore, a half hour later. Sergeant Anthony Damato, of the Tactical Division, spotted the car at Ashbury and Hayes, stopped the vehicle, and took two suspects into custody. The victim from Crespi and 19th identified one of the suspects as the robber. These suspects may be linked to a series of armed robberies.
4/7/09, 6 PM - At Crespi and 7th, a man was confronted by a gun-wielding suspect demanding his money. The victim resisted and the suspect ran to a waiting getaway car driven by a second suspect. The victim used his cell phone to call the police. The description of the suspects’ red Chevrolet was broadcast throughout the city by Taraval officers. A similar robbery occurred, with the same suspects, at Herman and Fillmore, a half hour later. Sergeant Anthony Damato, of the Tactical Division, spotted the car at Ashbury and Hayes, stopped the vehicle, and took two suspects into custody. The victim from Crespi and 19th identified one of the suspects as the robber. These suspects may be linked to a series of armed robberies.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Outstanding Work Takes Serial Robbers Off Streets
Taraval Station Update - Captain Paul Chignell
4/4/09, 7:15 AM - A woman was walking in the area of Holloway and Denslowe, when three men exited a red Volkswagen, assaulted her and drove away with her purse. Officers Darwin Naval and James Drilon, responding to the incident, recognized the suspects’ description from an earlier robbery in the Ingleside in which a woman had been attacked after she left an ATM. The officers took the suspects’ and vehicle’s descriptions and tended to the victim, who had been injured in the attack. A few minutes later, Officers Francis Feliciano and Orit Samson spotted the vehicle and three suspects travelling in the area of 19th and Winston. The officers conducted a high risk felony stop and detained the suspects. They then located an independent witness, who described the event in detail. Upon further investigation, officers discovered that a third robbery had occurred earlier in the area of 23rd and Noe. In that case, the victim had been hit over the head with a tire iron and robbed. A firearm had also been displayed by one of the suspects in that case. The suspects were identified and property from the three victims was discovered in the getaway vehicle. All three suspects live in the Richmond and each was arrested on three counts of robbery and conspiracy. This was outstanding work by Taraval police officers, removing three predatory robbers from the streets.
4/4/09, 7:15 AM - A woman was walking in the area of Holloway and Denslowe, when three men exited a red Volkswagen, assaulted her and drove away with her purse. Officers Darwin Naval and James Drilon, responding to the incident, recognized the suspects’ description from an earlier robbery in the Ingleside in which a woman had been attacked after she left an ATM. The officers took the suspects’ and vehicle’s descriptions and tended to the victim, who had been injured in the attack. A few minutes later, Officers Francis Feliciano and Orit Samson spotted the vehicle and three suspects travelling in the area of 19th and Winston. The officers conducted a high risk felony stop and detained the suspects. They then located an independent witness, who described the event in detail. Upon further investigation, officers discovered that a third robbery had occurred earlier in the area of 23rd and Noe. In that case, the victim had been hit over the head with a tire iron and robbed. A firearm had also been displayed by one of the suspects in that case. The suspects were identified and property from the three victims was discovered in the getaway vehicle. All three suspects live in the Richmond and each was arrested on three counts of robbery and conspiracy. This was outstanding work by Taraval police officers, removing three predatory robbers from the streets.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Bicycle Burglary Bungled
Taraval Station Update - Captain Paul Chignell
03/12/09, 10:10 AM - On 10th Avenue, a woman opened her garage door and went back into her house. She then heard sounds coming from the garage and observed a man taking her bicycle out of the garage and fleeing down the street. She tried to chase the man, to no avail, and got into her car to look for him. She then spotted San Francisco Police Tactical Officer Timothy Mayer on a motorcycle. The officer searched the area and spotted the suspect at 11th Avenue and Irving. The officer arrested the suspect, who was positively identified by the victim. The suspect, who lives at a parole halfway house, has numerous arrests for burglary and is on parole for burglary. He was arrested for burglary and a parole violation.
03/12/09, 10:10 AM - On 10th Avenue, a woman opened her garage door and went back into her house. She then heard sounds coming from the garage and observed a man taking her bicycle out of the garage and fleeing down the street. She tried to chase the man, to no avail, and got into her car to look for him. She then spotted San Francisco Police Tactical Officer Timothy Mayer on a motorcycle. The officer searched the area and spotted the suspect at 11th Avenue and Irving. The officer arrested the suspect, who was positively identified by the victim. The suspect, who lives at a parole halfway house, has numerous arrests for burglary and is on parole for burglary. He was arrested for burglary and a parole violation.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Sharp-Eyed Citizens, Responsive Officers
Our last Citywide Crime Profile showed Auto-Boostings (i.e. breaking your window and stealing your radio) down by 38% and Motor Vehicle Theft (i.e. stealing your actual car) down by 16%. The below case exemplifies the sharp-eyed residents and responsive officers driving these reductions.
As with most any crime, citizen-provided information is key to making arrests and increasing public safety. Residents observed suspicious behavior and notified the police, who investigated and arrested the alleged responsible parties. Simple as that.
Taraval Station Update - Captain Paul Chignell
3/5/2009, 5:30 AM - Residents informed the police that two suspects were peering into parked cars with flashlights on De Soto Street. Officers Labson and Kavanagh spotted a vehicle nearby, on Urbano Drive, containing two persons matching the suspects' descriptions. In the vehicle, the officers observed a flashlight, wedged between one supect and the passenger door, as well as various screwdrivers and shaved keys, tucked between the seats. There were car radios and media players in the seatwells. The officers observed another car close by, with the door unlocked, and the radio missing. They made contact with the owner of that vehicle, who stated that she parked and locked her car the night before. The woman, who lives on De Soto, identified one of the car radios as belonging to her. One of the suspects stated that he bought the radio at a flea market in San Jose. The suspects, who have been previously arrested for auto-related crimes, were arrested for conspiracy, auto burglary, receiving stolen property, possession of burglary tools and auto tampering.
KVR
As with most any crime, citizen-provided information is key to making arrests and increasing public safety. Residents observed suspicious behavior and notified the police, who investigated and arrested the alleged responsible parties. Simple as that.
Taraval Station Update - Captain Paul Chignell
3/5/2009, 5:30 AM - Residents informed the police that two suspects were peering into parked cars with flashlights on De Soto Street. Officers Labson and Kavanagh spotted a vehicle nearby, on Urbano Drive, containing two persons matching the suspects' descriptions. In the vehicle, the officers observed a flashlight, wedged between one supect and the passenger door, as well as various screwdrivers and shaved keys, tucked between the seats. There were car radios and media players in the seatwells. The officers observed another car close by, with the door unlocked, and the radio missing. They made contact with the owner of that vehicle, who stated that she parked and locked her car the night before. The woman, who lives on De Soto, identified one of the car radios as belonging to her. One of the suspects stated that he bought the radio at a flea market in San Jose. The suspects, who have been previously arrested for auto-related crimes, were arrested for conspiracy, auto burglary, receiving stolen property, possession of burglary tools and auto tampering.
KVR
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Second Degree Burglary, First Degree Chutzpah
Our most recent Citywide Crime Profile showed Auto Boostings down 50% and Motor Vehicle Thefts down 18% (comparing '08 and '09). The below exemplifies the hard work that is driving these reductions.
On a separate note, the brazenness exhibited by some crooks never ceases to amaze me. Here is a man on State parole, with a no-bail warrant out for his arrest, openly engaged in (alleged) auto-burglary and theft – and he has the nerve to ask a passerby to assist him by loaning him jumper cables!
Taraval Station Update - Captain Paul Chignell
02/15/09, 5:28 PM - Sergeant Woo and Officer Goff responded to a report of a man breaking into an automobile at Santiago and Lower Great Highway. When they arrived, they saw a man trying to jumpstart a vehicle using cables requested from a passerby. Though the man stated that the vehicle belonged to his aunt, the officers noticed that he had a bent coat hanger and spark plug chips in his possession. Both of these items are commonly used to enter locked vehicles (through a window, or by breaking a window, respectively). After further investigation, and as they were about to handcuff the man, he fled. He initially headed east on Santiago, before turning down 47th Avenue. While seeking to evade the officers, he discarded his coat and tools. He dodged in and out of parked cars, but was finally captured by Officers Oshita and Shanahan, on the 2400 block of 47th Avenue. The officers continued their investigation, finding that one of the cars had been forcibly entered and that the other was reported stolen. The suspect, a San Francisco resident, has a lengthy criminal record. He was arrested for a no bail parole warrant, burglary, receiving stolen property, auto theft and resisting arrest.
KVR
On a separate note, the brazenness exhibited by some crooks never ceases to amaze me. Here is a man on State parole, with a no-bail warrant out for his arrest, openly engaged in (alleged) auto-burglary and theft – and he has the nerve to ask a passerby to assist him by loaning him jumper cables!
Taraval Station Update - Captain Paul Chignell
02/15/09, 5:28 PM - Sergeant Woo and Officer Goff responded to a report of a man breaking into an automobile at Santiago and Lower Great Highway. When they arrived, they saw a man trying to jumpstart a vehicle using cables requested from a passerby. Though the man stated that the vehicle belonged to his aunt, the officers noticed that he had a bent coat hanger and spark plug chips in his possession. Both of these items are commonly used to enter locked vehicles (through a window, or by breaking a window, respectively). After further investigation, and as they were about to handcuff the man, he fled. He initially headed east on Santiago, before turning down 47th Avenue. While seeking to evade the officers, he discarded his coat and tools. He dodged in and out of parked cars, but was finally captured by Officers Oshita and Shanahan, on the 2400 block of 47th Avenue. The officers continued their investigation, finding that one of the cars had been forcibly entered and that the other was reported stolen. The suspect, a San Francisco resident, has a lengthy criminal record. He was arrested for a no bail parole warrant, burglary, receiving stolen property, auto theft and resisting arrest.
KVR
Friday, February 13, 2009
Yield or Be Cited
Captain Chignell informed me that between 10AM and 11:30AM, on February 11, Taraval Station officers cited 31 drivers for failing to yield to pedestrians at Sunset and Santiago. This is an excellent example of the focused enforcement that helped to reduce traffic fatalities by 56% in the Taraval, and 37% Citywide, in 2008.
KVR
KVR
Monday, February 9, 2009
SFPD Make Arrest in Gas Station Robbery
San Francisco Police arrested one of two suspects in a recent armed gas station robbery. The robbery occurred on 1/25/09, on Junipero Serra Boulevard (Taraval District), at approximately 11:30 PM. The suspect is an Oakland resident.
SFPD inspectors identified the suspect within 72 hours and a $500,000 felony warrant was issued for his arrest. The suspect was located at a residence on Garfield Street, on 1/31/09. Police also located a handgun in the residence.
The second suspect remains at large. The detained suspect is charged with robbery and remains in custody.
SFPD inspectors identified the suspect within 72 hours and a $500,000 felony warrant was issued for his arrest. The suspect was located at a residence on Garfield Street, on 1/31/09. Police also located a handgun in the residence.
The second suspect remains at large. The detained suspect is charged with robbery and remains in custody.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
SFPD Officers to Receive Medal of Valor at Police Commision Hearing on February 4
On March 18, 2008, in a public ceremony at City Hall, Mayor Newsom commended the men and women of the SFPD and SFFD for their courageous response, on Christmas Eve, 2007, to the tragedy at the San Francisco Zoo. If you recall, a Siberian tiger escaped from its enclosure, killing one man and severely mauling another. As their commanding Captain stated, shortly after the incident, “These officers responded with alacrity to a horrific event (and) risked their lives without qualification.”
SFPD Officers Yukio Oshita, Scott Biggs, Kevin O’Leary and Daniel Kroos are being awarded medals of valor before the Police Commission on February 4. I invite you all to attend.
Here is a summary of the events that occured at the Zoo on the evening of December 25, 2007.
SFPD Officers Yukio Oshita, Scott Biggs, Kevin O’Leary and Daniel Kroos are being awarded medals of valor before the Police Commission on February 4. I invite you all to attend.
Here is a summary of the events that occured at the Zoo on the evening of December 25, 2007.
On December 25, 2007, at 5:08 PM, the SFPD was notified that a tiger had escaped from its enclosure at the San Francisco Zoo, that a person was injured and bleeding, and, consequently, that the Zoo had been "locked down." Officers Daniel Kroos, Kevin O’Leary, Yukio Oshita, and Scott Biggs responded. They were informed that there could be more than one tiger on the loose. The officers were operating at dusk, in a dimly lit area, and in an environment of general pandemonium.
As paramedics arrived at the Zoo and Lieutenant Michael Favetti took command, Officers Biggs and Oshita encountered a Zoo employee and were shown a man, prone and lifeless, near the tiger exhibit. The victim was bleeding profusely from the neck area and had obviously been mauled by an escaped tiger. The officers were joined by a number of emergency medical personnel and an armed Zoo employee. They were then informed that a tiger had been spotted 100 ft. to the northeast and that there was another victim at the Terrace Café.
Officers Biggs and Oshita led the caravan of paramedics and the Zoo employee to the Terrace Café, where they located the second victim, lying on the ground and bleeding throughout his upper body and head. Next to the victim was an escaped 350 pound Siberian tiger. The victim was crying “Help me, help me.” The officers were 35 yards from the victim and tiger. Officers Daniel Kroos and Kevin O’Leary, who had entered the Zoo from a different entrance, and had been evacuating employees, then arrived on scene in their patrol vehicle.
The tiger looked directly at Officers Oshita and Biggs, then looked at Officers O’Leary and Kroos, and then again looked at Oshita and Biggs, before pouncing on the victim and savagely mauling him about the head. The victim screamed horrifically, whereupon the Zoo employee started yelling, “Kill the tiger, kill the tiger, Oh God kill the tiger.” Officers Biggs and Oshita, much closer to the tiger than the rest, screamed and yelled, trying to distract the tiger. The officers could not fire their weapons at the tiger for fear that the victim would be struck by gunfire.
The tiger stopped its attack, then moved in the direction of Officers Oshita and Biggs, before directing all of its attention at Officer Oshita. The tiger began to advance, in a hastened lope, from a distance of 35 yards. When the tiger got within 20 yards of Officer Oshita, he fired three times, striking the tiger, though it kept advancing. Officer Daniel Kroos, from a distance of 30 yards, but at a different vantage point, fired nine rounds, and Officer Kevin O’Leary, who was near Officer Kroos, fired two more. The tiger had obviously been hit, but continued advancing. Officer Oshita jumped into his radio car and fired two more rounds from inside the vehicle, at which point the tiger veered away from the radio car and fell to the ground. The time was 5:27 PM.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Pedestrian Sting – 18 Drivers Cited
Taraval Station Update - Captain Paul Chignell
Taraval Station officers conducted a pedestrian "Sting" at Constanso and Sloat this morning. Eighteen (18) drivers were cited for failing to yield to pedestrians.
Taraval Station officers conducted a pedestrian "Sting" at Constanso and Sloat this morning. Eighteen (18) drivers were cited for failing to yield to pedestrians.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Gas Station Robbery Suspect Captured in Unrelated Traffic Stop
Taraval Station Update - Captain Paul Chignell
11/29/08, 5:50 AM - A man walked up to the service counter of the Shell Gas Station at 19th and Taraval with a white plastic bag over his head. The man produced a gun from his waistband and demanded money. The employee complied and got down on the ground as ordered by the gunman. The suspect fled the premises but the employee followed him and saw that he got into a black car heading south on 19th Avenue. Officers Allan Wong and Adrian Payne stopped a black car for violating a stop sign rule at 20th and Vicente seconds later but before the robbery broadcast came over the police radio. As they were about to cite the driver for the stop sign violation, they heard the broadcast and took the suspect out of the vehicle at gunpoint. In the vehicle was the plastic bag, money from the station and a gun. The victim positively identified the suspect as the robber. The suspect was arrested for burglary, robbery, false imprisonment and, of course, a stop sign violation.
11/29/08, 5:50 AM - A man walked up to the service counter of the Shell Gas Station at 19th and Taraval with a white plastic bag over his head. The man produced a gun from his waistband and demanded money. The employee complied and got down on the ground as ordered by the gunman. The suspect fled the premises but the employee followed him and saw that he got into a black car heading south on 19th Avenue. Officers Allan Wong and Adrian Payne stopped a black car for violating a stop sign rule at 20th and Vicente seconds later but before the robbery broadcast came over the police radio. As they were about to cite the driver for the stop sign violation, they heard the broadcast and took the suspect out of the vehicle at gunpoint. In the vehicle was the plastic bag, money from the station and a gun. The victim positively identified the suspect as the robber. The suspect was arrested for burglary, robbery, false imprisonment and, of course, a stop sign violation.
Officers Intervene to Stop Domestic Violence
Taraval Station Update - Captain Paul Chignell
11/26/08, 8:02 PM - Officers Justin Wong and Rolando Escobar went to an address on 21st Avenue, where a man had previously beaten and threatened to kill his girlfriend. The officers arrested the suspect for threats, domestic violence and a probation violation.
11/26/08, 10:15 PM - Officers Wayne Wong and Jeffrey Fortuno went to an address on 47th Avenue, where a man had broken into the house and threatened to kill his sister. Apparently the suspect, who lives on the first block of 5th street, had seriously injured the sister previously in New York and had served time in prison for the attack. The officers arrested the suspect for criminal threats and burglary.
11/26/08, 8:02 PM - Officers Justin Wong and Rolando Escobar went to an address on 21st Avenue, where a man had previously beaten and threatened to kill his girlfriend. The officers arrested the suspect for threats, domestic violence and a probation violation.
11/26/08, 10:15 PM - Officers Wayne Wong and Jeffrey Fortuno went to an address on 47th Avenue, where a man had broken into the house and threatened to kill his sister. Apparently the suspect, who lives on the first block of 5th street, had seriously injured the sister previously in New York and had served time in prison for the attack. The officers arrested the suspect for criminal threats and burglary.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
