We hear from readers sometimes that it can be depressing or frightening to read about all of the crime in these recaps. We'd like to point you to this week's SFPD Central Station newsletter, in which Capt. David Lazar highlights some recent outstanding police work. Read about officers arresting burglars, tracking down muggers and retrieving a stolen iPhone.
Also in the newsletter, Capt. Lazar congratulates Inspector Stephen Paulsen on his retirement after 32 years of service. Paulsen "has been personally responsible for the capture of hundreds of auto burglars and has solved cases in our district from robberies to burglaries and assaults," Capt. Lazar writes. He was a role model to many and was Investigator of the Year at Central Station in 2014.
Capt. Lazar also reminds everyone of his monthly community meetings from 6–7pm the third Thursday of each month at various locations throughout the district. Mark your calendar for the next one on April 21st at at Hotel Rex, 562 Sutter St.
Woman with fanny pack mugged at noon
A woman 51, was robbed at the intersection of Columbus Avenue and Washington Street on the FiDi/Jackson Square border at noon on March 25th. She was looking down into her fanny pack when a man approached and demanded her money. She got scared and handed it over, and he fled on foot.
Robber on a bike does a ride-by phone snatching
A robber on a bicycle snatched a phone from a woman in Fisherman's Wharf at 7:31pm March 25th. The woman, 18, was on the corner of Jefferson and Taylor streets taking pictures with her phone when the suspect, a man of about 20–25, rode by on a bike and grabbed it out of her hand. He and another man of the same age range fled on their bicycles southbound on Taylor Street.
Man with gun gets away with phone, money, wallet
At 9:41pm March 26th on Green Street between Jones and Taylor in Russian Hill, a man of about 20–30 approached a man, 28, from behind, brandished a gun and demanded his property. The victim handed over his smart phone, money and wallet, and the suspect fled on foot.
Group demands man's backpack
More money and another phone was lost to the world of crime in a robbery at 11pm March 26th on Stockton Street at Geary Boulevard in Union Square. A man, 22, was standing at the corner waiting for the light to turn green when three suspects approached and told him to drop his property on the floor and walk away. He complied, and the fled with his backpack containing his cell phone, wallet and keys.
Early-morning shooting leaves man in serious condition
A man, 27, was walking out of a building on the 700 block of Pacific Avenue (between Stockton Street and Grant Avenue) in at 3:08am March 29th when he was shot multiple times in the lower extremities. The suspect, a man of about age 20–25, fled in an unknown direction in a gray sedan. The victim was taken to the hospital in serious condition. SFPD sources had no further information about the victim's condition or any details surrounding the crime, saying it's still under investigation.
Man thwarts muggers despite hurting head
While walking near Geary and Market streets in Union Square at 3:30am March 29th, a man, 50, was grabbed from behind. He fell to the ground, striking his head on the concrete. He and a suspect struggled over his bag, but he was able to retain it. The suspect, an 18-year-old man, as well as two female suspects, fled. The victim suffered a cut on his head but refused medical transport.
Woman notices ring missing during move
At 8am March 29th, a woman, 43, reported her ring was missing during a move between units within her same building on the 1200 block of California Street in Nob Hill.
Panhandler pilfers money, checkbook from man's pocket
As a 72-year-old man was walking at Hyde and Pine streets in Lower Nob Hill at 2pm March 31st, a panhandler grabbed his arms, reached into his pocket and removed his checkbook and money. The suspect fled on foot.
