Police Beat

Police Beat is a roundup of crimes and other police incidents in Noe Valley, defined as the area bordered by Grand View, 21st, Fair Oaks, and 30th streets. The following crime summaries were culled from incident reports filed at Mission and Ingleside police stations during February 2004.
Shoplifting: 9:47 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 1; 3900 block of 24th Street
Police responded to a call from a grocery store on 24th Street where the store manager had detained a man for shoplifting. The suspect allegedly walked into the store, took beer from the freezer, and attempted to leave without paying. The manager told police he made a citizen's arrest after warning the suspect in several previous incidents. The man appeared to be intoxicated. When police handcuffed him, he was sound asleep.
Recovered Vehicle: 6:40 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 3; 100 block of Valley Street
A resident of the 900 block of Duncan Street recovered his own stolen Nissan Pathfinder. He was riding in a friend's car near the intersection of Cortland and Mission streets when he saw his vehicle, which had been stolen the night before. He called the police and followed the Pathfinder, which was being driven by a man in a blue baseball cap. The man in the cap pulled the car into a driveway on Valley Street. Then the suspect and his passenger fled the scene. Police released the car back to its owner. The ignition was damaged, but the vehicle was drivable.
Theft of Vehicle: Between 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 5, and 5:46 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 7; on Duncan Street near Sanchez Street
A 26-year-old Sanchez Street resident reported her two-door 1991 Honda Civic stolen. The red car bears the California license plate 3TRT216.
Burglary and Controlled Substance Offense: 7:42 p.m., Monday, Feb. 9; a drugstore on 24th Street
The pharmacist at a drugstore on 24th Street summoned police with a report of a person picking up a fraudulent prescription for Lortab, a controlled substance. Earlier in the day, the pharmacist had called the doctor listed on the prescription, who said that it was a fake. When the man arrived to pick up his prescription, the pharmacist intern asked him to stay and called the police. The suspect was arrested; the responding officer also found a bottle of pills from another pharmacy in the suspect's possession, which he claimed was a prescription from his father. While en route to Mission Police Station, the suspect stated, "You won't catch me again. You were lucky you caught me tonight. I will get out tomorrow."
Criminal Threats: 3 p.m., Feb. 11; 1400 block of Castro Street
A woman reported to police that her landlord had made numerous threats to kill her. The tenant's teenage daughter claimed she overheard the landlord say, "I'm going to kill those people upstairs," and the tenant reported that the landlord had said the same thing to her neighbor several times. The woman said the landlord had harassed her since she called the Department of Building Inspection about building code violations and since she complained that he had refused to make repairs to the building. She alleged the landlord wanted to turn her unit and that of her neighbor into a commercial space. The tenant also claimed that the landlord had called her son a troublemaker. The woman is filing lawsuits against the landlord for wrongful eviction and slander.
Theft of Vehicle: Between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Friday, Feb. 13; on Valley near Church Street
A Church Street resident reported that his 1991 red Toyota Camry was stolen from Valley Street near Church. The vehicle's California license plate is 5CPU317.
Burglary: Between 4:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 13, and 7:15 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 14; 1400 block of Noe Street
Someone broke into a house that was under construction in the 1400 block of Noe Street, stealing tools and other items, according to a report filed by the construction foreman and the owner of the home. No suspect has been identified.
Attempted Forcible Entry, Non-Residential: Between 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 14, and 8:30 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 15; 4000 block of 24th Street
The owner of a business in the 4000 block of 24th Street told police someone had attempted to gain entry by prying the door frame. The door, door frame, and window pane were all damaged, but the suspect was unable to enter the building. The responding officer said the pry marks were similar to those visible on a nearby business that had been burglarized.
Burglary, Non-Residential: Between 10:40 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 14, and 10:30 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 15; 1300 block of Castro Street
A restaurant on Castro Street was robbed of nearly $1,000 on Valentine's Day weekend. An employee told police she had locked up securely after closing the doors on Saturday, Feb. 14, but when she arrived for work Sunday morning, the restaurant was in disarray and the cash drawer and freezer were open. The responding officer observed pry marks on the front window and a broken interior window lock. Police determined that the suspect entered through the window, stole the cash, and exited through the same window.
Attempted Burglary, Non-Residential: Between 1 and 6 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 15; 4000 block of 24th Street
The owner of a bakery in the 4000 block of 24th Street told police someone tried to break into his store during the early hours of Feb. 15. The suspect attempted to enter by a window on the west side of the building that was covered with a metal grate; the grate was not damaged. The bakery owner's neighbor told police he heard a loud banging outside his residence between 1:15 and 1:30 a.m. that morning. He looked outside and saw a man standing next to the window. The suspect said he worked at the bakery and then quickly left the area. The store owner said he did not believe the suspect was his employee.
Theft of Vehicle: Between 10:30 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 15, and 11:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 16; corner of Sanchez and 23rd streets
A red 1992 Jeep Cherokee belonging to a resident of the 1000 block of Sanchez Street was stolen from the corner of Sanchez and 23rd streets. The vehicle bears the California license plate 4HEV199.
Theft of License Plate: Between 10 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 15, and 8 a.m., Monday, Feb. 16; Church Street near Clipper Street
A 33-year-old resident of the 1300 block of Church Street reported that the license plate on his black 2002 Volkswagen Jetta was stolen while the car was parked at the corner of Church and Clipper streets. The stolen California license plate number is 4AHC936.
Burglary: Between 6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 17, and 8 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 18; 700 block of Duncan Street
A 34-year-old resident of Duncan Street, whose house had been under construction, reported that someone broke into his house by kicking in his front door. The suspect tampered with the owner's lock box but was unable to open it. A compressor hose, saw, and other items were stolen. No suspect has been identified.
Burglary: Between 9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 20, and 5:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 21; 400 block of 28th Street
A 60-year-old resident of 28th Street reported that someone broke into the garage area of his apartment building and tore apart the washer and dryer, stealing the money from the machines. The burglar apparently gained entrance by crossing the wires in the building's electronic keypad. No suspect has been identified.
Theft from Vehicle; Between 11 p.m., Friday, Feb. 20, and 10:15 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 21; 300 block of 29th Street
A 30-year-old woman reported that a jacket and gift basket were taken from her 1993 Honda Civic hatchback, which was unlocked but parked in her garage on 29th Street. She found a can of V8 beside the car.
Aggravated Assault, with Gun: 11:40 p.m., Friday, Feb. 20; Sanchez Street near Cesar Chavez Street
A Cesar Chavez Street resident told police a man shot at him on Sanchez Street near Cesar Chavez. The resident reported to police that he and his family were driving north on Church Street near 28th Street when the suspects began following them. The resident's wife was parking their vehicle on Sanchez Street when the suspects pulled up next to them and said, "Do you guys have a beef with us?" The resident got out of the car and told the suspects to "get out of here." One of the suspects pulled out a gun and shot at the resident but missed. The next day, the resident saw the suspect's vehicle parked on Duncan between Sanchez and Church streets. He summoned police, who had the car towed.
Malicious Mischief: 11:58 p.m., Friday, Feb. 20; corner of 26th and Noe streets
A resident of 26th Street notified police that she heard a loud crash that sounded like a window breaking outside her apartment. She reported that she looked outside and saw a suspect on the sidewalk below who was screaming and talking to himself. When officers arrived on the scene, the garage door was broken and the suspect was walking away from the garage door with dried blood on his hands. He was visibly intoxicated and smelled of alcohol. The 26th Street resident made a citizen's arrest and police brought the suspect to Mission Station.
Attempted Vehicle Theft: Between 6 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 22, and 8 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 24; 200 block of Day Street
A 52-year-old Day Street resident reported that someone attempted to steal her car, which was parked near her home. The steering column was broken and the car would not start; there was no apparent damage to the locks.
Suspicious Act: 8 a.m., Monday, Feb. 23; 4100 block of 25th Street
A 38-year-old resident of 25th Street reported to police that an unknown person had placed a novel containing erotica and two magazines in her mail slot. The book and one of the magazines were bookmarked and the magazine covers were torn off. The woman told police she feared for her safety and believed she was being harassed.
Theft of Vehicle: Between 7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 23, and 11 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 24; corner of Duncan and Church streets
A 27-year-old Church Street resident reported that his white 1994 Toyota Camry was stolen from the corner of Duncan and Church streets. The car bears the California license plate 4NRC507.
Theft of Vehicle: 9 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 24; corner of Valley and Sanchez streets
A Dolores Street resident reported his gray 1996 Honda Accord stolen from the corner of Valley and Sanchez streets. The car has a crack on its front windshield and bears the Illinois license plate 2425601.
Theft from Vehicle: 2:35 a.m., Friday, Feb. 27; 600 block of Duncan Street
A Duncan Street resident reported that he saw two unknown persons inside a vehicle owned by his neighbor. The neighbor examined his 1994 Isuzu Trooper and discovered a pair of binoculars missing as well as the car's console. Police were unable to locate the suspects.
Theft of License Plate: Between 9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 27, and 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 28; 200 block of Valley Street
A resident of the 200 block of Valley Street reported that the license plate was stolen from his 1995 BMW, which was parked near his home. The California plate number is 3VOW507.
Theft from Vehicle: Between 8:20 p.m., Friday, Feb. 27, and 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 28; 4300 block of 26th Street
Two 26th Street residents reported that someone broke the lock on a U-Haul van parked in front of their home that contained numerous items, including a $1,500 wedding dress. The 31-year-old woman and 32-year-old man reported other stolen items as well, including antique dishes, men's suits, and jewelry.
Mental Health Detention: 3:21 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28; 24th and Elizabeth streets
A woman flagged down a police officer who was patrolling Noe Valley and told her that a man was lying in the street at Elizabeth and Castro. When the officer arrived on the scene, the woman's husband said the man had gone to 24th and Castro streets. The police officer went there and saw the man hiding between cars. According to the officer's report, the man appeared paranoid and spoke nonsensically. He said there was a warrant out for his arrest in New Mexico because he had raped an elderly woman in her nursing home in 1997. The officer found no such warrant, but determined that the suspect was a danger to himself and transported him for psychiatric evaluation.
The Voice thanks Mission Police Officer Lorraine Lombardo and Ingleside Police Officer Mike Smith for providing the incident reports for this month's Police Beat. The reports were summarized by Erin O'Briant.
Your Links to the SFPD
Noe Valley residents and merchants are invited to attend police-community meetings held monthly in the Mission and Ingleside police districts. The next meeting at Mission Station will be Tuesday, April 27, 6 p.m., at 630 Valencia Street near 17th Street. The next Ingleside meeting will be Tuesday, April 20, 7 p.m., at Ingleside Station, 1 Sgt. John Young Lane, off the 2000 block of San Jose Avenue.
Meanwhile, those who live or work north of Cesar Chavez Street can report recurring problems by phoning Mission Station at 558-5400 or e-mailing SFPD MissionStation@ci.sf.ca.us. (To report anonymously on drugs, gangs, or other crimes, call the non-traceable hotline at 558-5452.)
Residents and merchants in "outer" Noe Valley--south of Cesar Chavez--can contact Ingleside Station by calling 404-4000 or e-mailing SFPDInglesideStation@ci.sf.ca.us.
To report a crime in progress, call 911. (Cell phone users, dial 553-8090.) To talk to San Francisco police about a non-emergency situation, call 553-0123.