Police Blotter

Auto Boosters Target Surfers at Ocean Beach
In September, there were numerous reports of stolen autos reported in the area of the Great Highway, between Balboa Street and Lincoln Way. Many of the victims were surfers, who hide their keys somewhere on the exterior of the car while they are out in the water. The suspect(s) target these vehicles either by looking for surf racks or observing the victims when they leave their vehicles.

Most of the stolen cars are recovered the same day, parked within a couple of blocks. It appears the suspects, after stealing the car, take the victim's personal property from the vehicle and flee the area.

Narcotics Violations, Probation Violation, Driving on a Suspended License: Sept. 23, 7 p.m., Geary Boulevard and 20th Avenue
Officers on patrol conducted a traffic stop on Geary Boulevard and discovered the driver did not have a valid license. A search of the vehicle produced marijuana and a large amount of pills and suspected cocaine.

The 38-year-old suspect was transported to Richmond Station and booked. The suspected drugs were transported to the Narcotics Room at the Hall of Justice.

Hot Prowl Burglary: Sept. 19, Reported at 2:05 p.m., 100 Block of 19th Avenue
Residents living on 19th Avenue returned to their home and discovered someone had shattered the glass on the front door. As well, a window in the front of the building was ajar.

As the residents entered the home, they started checking to see if anything was missing. As they approached the top of a stairway, the suspect tried to escape and a struggle ensued.

The suspect was able to break free from the physical confrontation and fled out of the front door. A search for the suspect was to no avail.

Burglary: Sept. 23, Between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., 300 Block of 26th Avenue
A suspect(s) gained entry into the garage area at an apartment building and broke into one of the cars parked there. Taken from the vehicle were a briefcase and some clothes. The suspect is still at-large.

Possession of Stolen Property, Outstanding Warrant, Parole Violation: Sept. 17, 2:30 p.m., 3500 Block of Sacramento Street
An alert employee notified the police department that there were a couple of males driving around slowly, possibly casing the neighborhood before attempting to commit a robbery or theft.

Police officers on patrol were given a description of the suspect's vehicle and its last known position. Plainclothes officers spotted the car and observed the suspects as they continued to drive around the neighborhood.

After stopping the vehicle, the officers discovered several pairs of expensive sunglasses, still wrapped in their original packages.

After a little investigative work, the officers were able to ascertain that the sunglasses had come from a business on Fillmore Street. The suspects had entered the store and created a diversionary tactic to facilitate the theft.

The suspects were taken into custody and booked. One of them had an outstanding warrant for his arrest and the other was on probation out of Alameda County.

Burglary: Sept. 18, between 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., 2100 Block of Sutter Street
The suspect gained entry into a residence, possibly by prying open a window, and took two laptop computers and a camera.

Bad Cookies: Sept. 8, Golden Gate Park
Six teenage girls had to be rushed to emergency rooms at two different hospitals, via ambulances, after eating cookies at a concert in Golden Gate Park.

It is suspected that the cookies were laced with drugs of an unknown type. The investigation is ongoing.

Aggravated Assault: Sept. 2, 1 a.m., 300 Block of Third Avenue
Officers responded to a call of an unconscious man lying in the sidewalk on Third Avenue. When they arrived, they discovered the victim bleeding and called for medical care.

It was determined that the victim was at a house party where alcohol was being served. Two of the partygoers got into an argument, which escalated into a full-blown fight outside. The suspect punched the victim in the head, causing him to fall on the sidewalk.

The suspect fled and is being sought. The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Burglary: Sept. 10, Between 10 a.m. and 10:05 a.m., 700 Block of 18th Avenue
The garage door of a residence was only left alone for several minutes, but it was enough time for someone to take a saw and walk off.

Possession of Drugs: Sept. 1, 8:45 p.m., Clement Street and 10th Avenue
Officers were patrolling Clement Street when they observed what appeared to be a drug deal taking place in a car. After observing the actions of the four occupants in the vehicle for about 10 minutes, the car drove off. The officers, in a marked squad car, followed.

Suddenly, the car stopped and the two males in the back seat exited and started walking away in different directions. One of the officers jumped out of the police vehicle and was able to detain the two suspects who jumped out while the other officer conducted a traffic stop.

After the investigation and consensual search of all parties, a large amount of marijuana was discovered in the vehicle and in the backpack of one of the males that had exited the car. Three adult males were charged with possession and transportation of narcotics, and the fourth male, a juvenile, was released to his parents.

Robbery: Aug. 30, 11:25 p.m., 200 Block of Fifth Avenue
A man was out for a jog when two males got out of a black car and attacked him. The victim was punched in the face and repeatedly kicked after he fell.

Although the suspects were yelling at the victim, the victim could not respond because he does not speak English and could not understand what they were saying. One of the suspects rifled through the victim's pockets and then ran back to the car and fled. Nothing was taken from the victim.