April was a busy month in the Richmond. President Barak Obama was in the district for dinner on April 20, and SF Mayor Ed Lee and SF Supervisor Eric Mar hosted a Town Hall Meeting to discuss the City's budget and some of the challenges that we face. We are planning for the 100th annual Bay to Breakers, which will take place on May 15. A second traffic motorcycle officer has been assigned to the station and the SF Department of Parking and Traffic advises that parking control officers with be focusing some of their evening enforcement time citing violators in the Richmond and other districts for sidewalk parking, a violation of Vehicle Code section 22500 (f). I have chosen a few other items to cover in a more detail below.
New Police Chief
On April 27, SF Police Department (SFPD) Capt. Greg Suhr was sworn in as our chief of police. He is a fourth generation San Franciscan and a 31-year veteran police officer with tremendous experience and outstanding credentials. Suhr is well respected by members of the department and, speaking for all of us here at Richmond Station, I can tell you that we are truly delighted and inspired by his appointment and we look forward to his leadership.
Arrest in Richmond District Burglary
On Sunday, April 3, at about 3 p.m., thieves committed a brazen daytime burglary in the Outer Richmond District. The burglary occurred on the 300 block of 29th Avenue. In this incident, the suspects broke into a premise and stole heirloom jewelry and several hundred dollars. Included in the items stolen were the victim's wedding ring, her 1950s graduation pin from Lone Mountain College for Women and several 100-year-old family keepsakes.
Witnesses provided police with suspect and vehicle descriptions, including a New Hampshire license plate number. Investigators from Richmond Station issued a nationwide crime alert for the suspects' vehicle.
On April 5, along Interstate 80, near the City of Grand Island, Nebraska, an alert member of the Nebraska State Patrol noticed a vehicle travelling in excess of the posted speed limit. The trooper stopped the vehicle and quickly determined it was the vehicle wanted by the SFPD in connection with the 29th Avenue burglary. One suspect fled on foot, but was quickly captured. In all, four suspects were taken into custody.
Troopers in Nebraska worked closely with SFPD investigators and obtained a search warrant, which led to the recovery of several hundred pieces of jewelry and nearly $20,000 in U.S. currency. Several dozen of the items stolen in the 29th Avenue burglary were recovered, including the graduation pin, wedding ring and a childhood Valentine's Day bracelet that the victim received as a gift from her mom. The victim with be reunited with her treasures at the conclusion of the criminal case.
Nebraska authorities charged all four suspects with receiving stolen property. Two of the suspects were also charged with obstructing an officer.
Auto Thefts and Burglaries
In the last 45 days there have been 117 auto burglaries and 35 stolen autos reported in the district. If you want to avoid being victimized, please don't leave anything in your car's passenger area. Included in a number of cars reported stolen were six Toyotas and 14 Hondas. Thieves appear most interested in late '90s vintage vehicles. If you own such a vehicle you should garage it whenever possible and consider installing a disabling mechanism.
Fraud Case
On April 26, a very successful fraud scheme was perpetrated in the district. On that day a retired Richmond District resident was duped into giving $80,000 to strangers.
At 11 a.m. the victim was in the parking lot of a local supermarket when the suspect approached the victim and engaged him in conversation. The suspect had two bags with him and successfully convinced the victim that the bags contained a large sum of money, and then told the victim he wished to donate his cash to a church.
The victim agreed to drive the suspect to a nearby church. When they arrived
at the church the suspect climbed the front steps and knelt down to pray, but
did not go inside. At that time a second criminal arrived and said he wanted
to donate money as well. The crooks deceived the victim into believing that
if he donated a large sum of money as well he would actually make money on the
transaction. All three went to the victim's home to obtain cash that he had
in his safe. All three left the victim's home. The victim then gave the suspects
his money and in return they handed him their bags. The suspects departed and
the victim quickly determined that the crooks' bags contained only newspaper.
The suspects were described as males, 40 to 45 years of age, both spoke with
accents and one of the suspects walked "bow-legged."
Promises of quick or excessive financial returns are a tip off that something
isn't right. Don't ever give money to a stranger you meet on the street, or
who calls, e-mails or writes you about how to get rich quick. Remember, if something
seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Spring Extravaganza
On Saturday, April 23, Richmond Station participated in the SF Recreation and
Park Department's annual Spring Extravaganza and Rib Barbeque cook-off competition
in Golden Gate Park's Sharon Meadow. Last year, much to the chagrin of the other
more experienced contestants, Richmond Station took top honors for our barbecued
ribs. Our competitors were ready for us this year â but not ready enough. Team
Richmond took first place trophies for both ribs and desserts and we also won
the trophy for best presentation. We raised a great deal of money for Recreation
and Park programs and everybody had a great time.
Our next Police Community Forum is on May 17, at 1 p.m., at the Richmond Station.
Capt. Richard Corriea is the commanding officer at the Richmond Station.