Noe Valley Voice February 2011
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POLICE BEAT

 

REPORT FROM MISSION STATION

The Noe Valley Voice thanks 24th Street Beat Officer Lorraine Lombardo for providing this tally of incidents reported in the half of Noe Valley covered by the Mission Police District. The log includes some but not all incidents occurring Nov. 11, 2010, to Jan. 10, 2011, in the area bordered by Grand View, 20th, Guerrero, and Cesar Chavez streets. To contact Officer Lom­­­bardo, call Mission Station at 558-5400.

 

Nov. 11, 11 a.m. to 6:20 p.m, 24th and Church, Mental Health Detention: Officers Montoya and Richards responded to a call about a suspicious male standing in the same place drinking alcohol for over seven hours. The suspect was holding a 2-by-4 lumber and standing next to numerous empty beer cans. Police asked him where he lived, but he could not remember. Several people approached police to complain about the drunken man. A blind man, recognizing the suspect’s voice, told police that the suspect walked past him and said to get off his block or else he would “kick his ass.” The suspect was then taken to Mission Station and booked for public drunkenness. While in a jail cell at the station, the suspect punched the walls repeatedly. It was determined that he was a danger to himself. He was taken to San Francisco General Hospital for a mental health detention.

Nov. 27 to 28, 5 p.m. to 10:30 a.m., 3800 block of 24th, Malicious Mischief: Officers Lombardo and Johnson responded to a report of a broken window at a hardware store on 24th Street. The hardware store manager told police the restaurant next door had a customer who had gotten mad over receiving bad news while dining there the night before. The restaurant confirmed the violent episode and reported that the angry customer had kicked doors and thrown things around. The customer may have kicked in the glass front door at the hardware store upon leaving the area. Police are still in need of witnesses.

Dec. 1, 12:13 a.m., 4100 block of 21st, Driving Under the Influence: A witness called police to report seeing an intoxicated man climbing into a black Mercedes and revving the engine, unable to find the right gear. Police located the man in the driver’s seat of his vehicle in a driveway, with the engine running and headlights on. Officer Covarrubias knocked on the driver-side window and woke the man up. The officer asked him to step out of the car. The man had slurred speech and was not carrying a driver’s license. He was taken into custody and driven to Mission Station. His Mercedes was towed. The officer asked the driver if he was willing to take field sobriety tests. The man replied, “I know I am drunk. When can I go home? I just want to go home. You already arrested me.” After a breath test, the man was booked for drunk driving.

Dec. 6, 1:55 p.m., 3900 block of 24th, Shoplifting: Officers Lombardo and Johnson responded to a shoplifting incident at a grocery store on 24th Street. Security held a female in custody and told police that she stole $303.71 worth of groceries. The suspect allegedly entered the store with seven cloth bags including a green Whole Foods bag. She walked around the store and put groceries into the bags inside of a shopping cart. She pushed the cart past the cash registers and out the front door without paying. Then she went into the parking lot, where she began loading the bags into her car. Security stopped her and called police. She was cited, advised not to come back, and released at the store.

Dec. 15, noon, 22nd and Guerrero, Dog Running Loose: The owner of a small black chihuahua was seen running in the street after her dog. A young man passerby tried to help and continued running after the dog into the Mission District. Officer Lombardo was riding her police bicycle in the bike lane on Valencia and 19th when she saw the man running after the dog in the middle of the street. The man yelled out, “Help me catch that dog!” Lombardo pursued the dog on bike through multiple streets and alleys. Many citizens also tried to catch the dog. The exhausted passerby gave up the chase. Lombardo radioed for police assistance. Multiple officers jumped into the chase. Finally, the dog ran into an open garage, where officers were able to capture her. Since the owner was unknown, police drove the chihuahua in the back of a screened police car to Animal Care and Control. Later, Lombardo found Pali Boucher, owner of Rocket Dog Rescue, who was working in the chocolate store on 24th Street. She shared the chihuahua story, and Pali called Animal Care and placed a hold on the dog to prevent it from being euthanized in four days as required by law.

Dec. 17, 6:35 p.m., 4000 block of 24th, Robbery of a Store: Officers Buckley and Banegas responded to a call of a robbery at a gift store. The suspect entered the store, stood across from the cash register, and demanded money of a store employee. He held his hand inside the front pocket of his black hooded sweatshirt as if he held a gun. He yelled out, “Open the register!” The employee told him, “You really don’t want to do this.” The suspect said, “I don’t want to hurt you! It’s hard times!” The employee handed over the cash and said, “I hope this helps you.” The suspect replied, “I need it for my family, I need it for my wife and kids,” and fled the store. The suspect is described as a black male in his 20s, about six feet tall and weighing 170 pounds.

Jan. 1, 2:43 a.m., 4000 block of 24th, Domestic Violence: Officers Hallisy and Wilson responded to a domestic violence call concerning a man armed with a knife and acting aggressive. The terrified victim told police that she broke off a relationship with her boyfriend. She said he held her down on her bed, pointed a knife at her, and threatened to kill her parents, his parents, and numerous other people if she left him. She told police, “He controls me with violence.” When asked if there had been prior incidents, she said he had slapped her across the face in a fit of anger. She also said he had stabbed the glove compartment of her car with his knife and destroyed the inside of the vehicle. Police arrested the man and booked him at Mission Station. A judge granted the victim an emergency protective order.

Jan. 1, 2:43 a.m., Castro and Hill, Driving Under the Influence: Officers Baca and Dittmer responded to a call regarding a drunk driver. Dispatch told police there was a vehicle blocking traffic and it had been involved in an accident. In addition, Dispatch said the driver was stumbling around the intersection attempting to fix the damaged bumper to a Lexus. Police found the driver, who was holding a key to the Lexus in his hand. He admitted he had been driving, that it was his mother’s car, and that he had had an accident. When asked if he had been drinking, he apologized and said he had consumed four beers “somewhere on 24th Street.” The driver failed a field sobriety test. Police took him to Mission Station, where he failed a breath test. He was booked into jail, and his mother’s Lexus was towed.

Jan. 4, 2:15 p.m., 4000 block of 24th, Segway Accident: The owner of a local coffee shop was walking west on 24th Street when she saw a man on a Segway (self-balancing electric vehicle) hit the last (yellow-accented) roadway barrier of the “parklet” in front of Just for Fun. The man flew head over heels into the air and landed in the bus stop, head first. The shop owner called 911 on her cell phone and then spotted a SFFD fire truck in the area. She hailed the truck, which stopped and assisted the injured man at the scene. He sustained head and knee injuries and was rushed to San Francisco General by ambulance.

REPORT FROM INGLESIDE STATION

The following police blotter covers incidents reported Nov. 11, 2010, to Jan. 10, 2011, in Upper Noe Valley—the area roughly bounded by Cesar Chavez, Guerrero, 30th, and Diamond streets. The incidents were culled from newsletters produced by Capt. Louis Cassanego of Ingleside Police Station. The log may not include all crimes reported during the period.

 

Nov. 10, 10 a.m., Guerrero at 27th, Traffic Collision

Nov. 10, 3:22 p.m., Dolores at 30th, Traffic Collision

Nov. 11, 11:19 p.m., Guerrero at Duncan, Recovered Unfounded Auto

Nov. 14, 11 p.m., 200 block of Valley, Threats: Officers Vizcay and Morse were sent to investigate a battery that occurred. The victim told the officers that a known suspect was being reprimanded by them and became angry and pushed the victim down to the ground and threatened with bodily harm. The suspect then left the house. This case is still under investigation.

Nov. 16, 12:20 a.m., Diamond and Duncan, Traffic Accident

Nov. 18, 12 a.m., 300 block of Duncan, Embezzlement: Officers Fung and Suguitan were sent to investigate an embezzlement case. The victim told the officers that a known suspect was possibly taking money from her. The officers also interviewed a witness and documented the incident. There was no documentation to the allegation. This case was assigned to an investigator and is under investigation.

Nov. 23, 1:30 p.m., San Jose at 29th, Aggravated Assault: Police Services Aide Zabarte prepared a report regarding an assault that occurred down the street. The victim told the PSA that he had been drinking at a bar and a fight broke out. The suspect and he were separated by security and everyone left. The suspect returned with a crowbar and began a second attack on the victim. The victim’s injuries were non-life-threatening.

Nov. 23, 6:10 p.m., San Jose Ave. at 30th, Traffic Accident

Nov. 24, 8 a.m. 100 block of Randall, Stolen/Recovered Auto

Nov. 26, 11:15 p.m., 200 block of Day, Stolen Auto

Nov. 29, 8 a.m., 1600 block of Noe, Burglary, School, Forced: Officer Ocreto responded to a burglary call at a school. The officer met with the principal who showed him that several exterior windows were opened by the suspect and several interior doors were damaged. A projector was stolen from the school.

Nov. 30, 10 a.m., 500 block of Day, Burglary, Residence, Unlawful: Officers Johnson and Bernard responded to a burglary at a residence under construction. The officers met a contractor who stated that he left the site secured and upon his return found the front door wide open and numerous power and hand tools stolen.

Nov. 30, 11:30 a.m., 100 block of Randall, Stolen Auto

Dec. 4, 8:35 p.m., 300 block of 28th, Burglary, Residence, Forced: Officer Contreras responded to a burglary call. The officer met with the victim who stated that he returned to his home, which he left secured, to find that the back door had been forced open and his laptop computer stolen from the kitchen.

Dec. 6, 6:52 p.m., San Jose Ave. at 30th, Suspended Driver

Dec. 9, 1:15 p.m., 300 block of Duncan, Battery/Suspicious Occurrence: Officers Murphy, Pedersen, and Wilson responded to a battery call. The officers met with a woman who claimed that her elderly mother’s court-appointed conservator had battered her. The officers found the victim’s statements contradictory and evasive. The officers contacted the alleged suspect via telephone, who told the officers that the daughter’s behavior was erratic, but that she did not have any type of physical altercation with her. The officers documented the incident and forwarded the information to the Adult Protective Services case worker assigned to the elderly woman.

Dec. 11, 8:11 a.m., Sanchez at 30th, Stolen/Recovered Auto

Dec. 17, 3 p.m., 700 block of San Jose Ave., False Personation: An agent for a property management company entered a unit to find equipment that was apparently used for making false identifications. PSA Cato, who was working at Ingleside Station, completed the report. Numerous items of evidence were seized and booked at Ingleside Station.

Dec. 18, 3:15 a.m., 200 block of Valley, Vandalism to Vehicle: Officer Wong responded to a vandalism call. A convertible car top was slashed by an unknown suspect, and entry into the vehicle was obtained, but nothing was stolen.

Dec. 18, 9:50 a.m., 1700 block of Church, Vandalism to Property: Officer Wong responded to a restaurant where an employee had discovered a window screen that appeared to be damaged by an unknown suspect overnight while the restaurant was closed. The officer determined that the suspect had not been able to pull the screen away from the window sufficiently to make entry into the building.

Dec. 19, 11:05 p.m., 200 block of Day, Theft from Locked Auto: Officers Dilag and Lundy responded to a call of an auto boost that had just occurred. The officers located two vehicles that had been broken into, one of the victims, and the witness who had called for the police. The witness stated that one African-American man and another male subject fled in a light blue Honda sedan prior to the officers’ arrival. The witness observed the driver of the vehicle break out the windows of both victims’ vehicles, reach into the vehicles, and then get back into the Honda and drive away. The owner of the second vehicle was not located. The area was searched to no avail.

Dec. 20, 8:55 p.m., 29th at Church, Attempted Robbery with Knife: A woman reported to Officers Khan and Jones that an African-American male, 20 to 25 years old, 5-feet-8, 150 pounds, with hair in shoulder-length dreadlocks, approached her with a large knife in his hand and a red scarf over his face. Upon seeing the knife, the victim dropped her belongings to the ground and began to yell. The suspect backed away, then turned and ran from the victim. A witness told the victim that the suspect possibly got into a black Chevy Malibu.

Dec. 24, 9 a.m., 100 block of 29th, Malicious Mischief, Graffiti

Dec. 30, 11:02 p.m., 26th at San Jose Ave., Attempted Assault

Dec. 31, 4:15 a.m., 200 block of Day, Theft from Locked Vehicle: A newspaper delivery man witnessed two Hispanic males breaking into two vehicles and called for the police. Officers Seavey and Vizcay responded and searched for the suspects to no avail. The officers were able to lift a partial fingerprint from one of the vehicles.

Jan. 4, 5 p.m., first block of Valley, Burglary, Apartment, Force: Officer Castillo responded to a multi-unit residence and spoke with one of the residents who stated that he found his locked bedroom door damaged and his locked bathroom forced open. Other than the damage, no loss was discovered.

Jan. 6, 4:46 a.m., first block of 30th, Burglary: Officer Baldovino was sent to investigate a burglary incident. The officer responded and located the witness who had called. The witness told the officer that he was at home and suddenly heard loud pounding outside. The witness told the officer that he went to investigate and saw a car pulled across the crosswalk. The witness called the police, then yelled down at the subject. The subject looked up at the witness, got into the car, and sped off. The witness got the plate of the car and gave it to the officer. With this information the vehicle was located and towed. The car had been reported stolen.

Jan. 6, 6:30 p.m., 300 block of Duncan, Stolen Plate

Jan. 7–10 (reported), 9:15 p.m., 600 block of 27th, Theft from Auto: Officer Giannini was sent to investigate a theft case. The victim told the officer that someone had smashed the window to his car in an attempt to take the property inside.

Jan. 7–10 (reported), 7 p.m., 1600 block of Church, Arson: Officer Muro was sent to investigate an arson case. The victim told the officer that she put her garbage out the night before and when she came out to bring in the garbage bins, she found that one of them looked like it was melted. No suspects were observed.

 

 

Police Borders

Noe Valley is split between two San Francisco police jurisdictions—Mission Police District and Ingleside Police District—with Cesar Chavez Street as the dividing line. Mission Station covers the northern half of the neighborhood, while Ingleside patrols the southern half. Both districts invite citizens to attend police community meetings, held monthly. Mission Police District holds meetings on the last Tuesday of the month, 6 p.m., at Mission Station, 630 Valencia Street near 17th Street. Ingleside’s community meetings take place on the third Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m., at Ingleside Station, 1 Sgt. John V. Young Lane.

 

Police Contacts

Mission Station: 558-5400
Anonymous Tip Line: 392-2623

Newsletter: sfpd.mission.station
@sfgov.org
Capt. Greg Corrales: 558-5455

Gregory.Corrales
@sfgov.org

Ingleside Station: 404-4000
Anonymous Tip Line: 575-4444

Newsletter: sfpd.ingleside.station
@sfgov.org
Capt. Louis Cassanego: 404-4030

Louis.Cassanego
@sfgov.org

 

To file a police report, go to any local station or file online at www.sfgov.org.

To report a crime in progress, call 911. Cell phone users can dial Police Dispatch directly: 415-553-8090.

 

Police Beat was compiled and edited by Jan Goben and Sally Smith.