The crimes below are a small snapshot of what the officers of Northern Station are doing. For a more comprehensive list, visit www.sf-police.org; under Compstat, there is a link to CrimeMAPS.
LACK OF APPRECIATION
Feb. 13, 1:39 a.m.
Union Street at Van Ness
Officers spotted a vehicle that crossed three lanes of traffic without signaling and was driving erratically. The officers followed the vehicle for a few blocks, waiting for a safe location to pull it over. The driver slammed on his brakes hastily and pulled over to the right side of the road. The driver rolled down his window and said, “Is there a reason why you’re following me? I don’t appreciate you driving behind me for so long.” Due to the driver’s suspicious behavior, the officers did a computer check and learned that the driver had an outstanding warrant for forgery. The officers also located narcotic paraphernalia inside the vehicle, which they then had towed. The driver was transported to Northern Station and was later booked at County Jail.
A BACKHANDED RESPONSE
Feb. 18, 11:15 a.m.
Pierce Street at Lombard
Numerous units were dispatched regarding a victim who had been hit in the face by his ex-girlfriend. The victim had a cut to his lip and stated that his ex-girlfriend backhanded him. The victim told the officer that he and the subject had been sleeping in their car and had been arguing all day. The victim was irritated and rented a hotel room to get away from her. The subject kept knocking on his door begging to work out their relationship. The subject and the victim got back into their car and continued to argue. When the victim tried to get out again, the subject hit him in the face. The victim stated that he has been dating the subject for four years and wanted her arrested. The officers completed their investigation and took custody of the subject, who was cited for the violation and released at the scene.
NO ROOM AT THE INN
Feb. 23, 12:08 a.m.
Lombard Street at Scott
Officers responded to a call regarding a trespasser. An innkeeper had rented a room to a vacationing couple who returned to the office saying that their room was already occupied. The innkeeper found it occupied by three individuals. The innkeeper told one of the subjects that if he wanted the room he needed to show identification and pay for the room. As the subject walked to the office, the innkeeper noticed that the man appeared extremely intoxicated. For no apparent reason, the subject became hostile and verbally abusive, picking up a planter and throwing it through the office front door. The subject then ran toward Union Street. Officers were able to locate the subject, who was arrested for being drunk in public and vandalism.
A SERIAL OFFENSE
Feb. 27, 3:20 p.m.
Chestnut Street at Steiner
An officer was called to a computer store regarding a male who wanted to “wipe” the information from a computer. The employee turned on the computer and discovered icons on the desktop that would only be used by a floor model computer. The employee had the customer wait as he checked the serial number on the laptop, which turned out to be for a floor model stolen from a store elsewhere in San Francisco. The officer took the subject into custody for possession of stolen property. The subject didn’t have a receipt, but he did have an additional outstanding warrant for his arrest.
A VERY WET JOY RIDE
March 3, 2:57 a.m.
Marina Boulevard at Laguna
Officers responded to a witness’s report of a vehicle doing “doughnuts” that lost control and went into the Bay. The witness attempted to assist the occupants as they scrambled out of the car and swam to the shore. Dispatch also sent SFFD medics to the scene where they treated and released the driver and three occupants. The driver initially told officers that he had lost his brakes and drove into the Bay on accident. The driver could not produce a valid driver’s license or identification. The driver was transported to Northern Station where officers were able to discover his identity, that he has no license in California, and that he has a prior arrest record. The driver will be billed for any damage that his vehicle did as well as the removal of the vehicle from the Bay. The driver was booked on reckless driving and for having no valid driver’s license, as well as child endangerment since his juvenile son was also in the car.
DIGITAL ERA PEEPING TOM
March 4, 2:12 p.m.
Fillmore Street at California
An officer responded to a business where an employee found a camera in the bathroom. The officer investigated and was able to locate the male owner of a black duffle bag. The bag contained a black cardboard box with a hole in it. The black box contained a camera and it was aimed at the toilet area. The officer conducted further investigation and was able to view numerous videos of men and women using the toilet, plus a video with the same male subject apparently setting up the camera and later taking it down. The subject was issued a citation for illegal videotaping and was advised by staff that he was no longer allowed in the business.
Incidents listed here are based on witness statements as recorded by the reporting officers and are compiled by Marina Times staff.
