Castro Crime: Child Porn Arrest, Suspicious Device Closes Market St., More

Castro Crime: Child Porn Arrest, Suspicious Device Closes Market St., MoreA suspicious package closed Market Street on May 3rd. | Photo: Sergio Quintana/Twitter
Brian Ray
Published on May 09, 2017

Since our last Castro crime roundup, the neighborhood has seen a mix of regular crime reports and some noticeable incidents, including the arrest of a resident charged with child pornography and a suspicious package that shut down evening traffic on Market Street.

All reports are listed in chronological order and come from the SFPD's daily crime recaps unless otherwise noted.

Early-Morning Castro Mugging

Around 1am on April 26th, three unknown suspects approached a 41-year-old man from behind and pushed him against a wall near Castro and 18th. The suspects stole the victim's phone and wallet before fleeing on foot. No arrests were made.

Sanchez Robbers Drop Stolen Phone

Two men, both 20, approached another man, 29, near Sanchez and 14th at 9:36pm on April 28th. One of the two younger men grabbed the older man's phone and both began to flee on foot. As they ran, they dropped the phone, which was recovered. No arrests were made.

Alarm Leads To Hot Prowl Discovery

On May 1st at 4:17am, a 35-year-old man was roused by an alarm signaling an opened door in his home near Castro and 16th. The man discovered that his backpack had been stolen by an unknown suspect. No arrest was made.

Phone Robbery On Muni Train

Later on the 1st at 6:35pm, a 26-year-old man was on a stopped Muni train near Church and Market when a younger man, 15-18, struggled to grab the older man's phone. The suspect overpowered the victim and fled through the open train doors. No arrest was made.

Child Porn Investigation Leads To Arrest

The police's Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit began an investigation in March into an individual who was allegedly uploading graphic child pornography online. On May 2nd, investigators served a search warrant on the Noe Street residence of 47-year-old Douglass Forrester.

During the search, investigators located hundreds of illicit images on numerous devices and charged Forrester with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Booking photo for Douglass Forrester. | Photo: SFPD

SFPD's Special Victims Unit is asking anyone who may have been a victim or had any suspicious contact with Douglas Forrester to contact them at (415) 558-5500.

Suspicious Package Shuts Down Market Street

On the evening of May 3rd, police issued a shelter in place order due to a suspicious package near Castro and Market. The order was placed at 9:17pm after SFPD responded to a reports of a propane tank with a label indicating the item was possibly explosive in nature. 

The department's Explosive Ordinance Disposal team ultimately rendered the item non-hazardous around 11:10pm. Reports from people near the scene suggest that many residents and merchants weren't informed, as Hoodline received tips of people out on the sidewalks near the incident. 

Bicycle Thieves Attempts Hot Prowl

At 4:30am on May 4th, a 60-year-old man heard a noise from his garage on 21st Street near Sanchez. When he investigated, he saw a vehicle with an unknown suspect in front of his home, and a another man walking out of his garage with the homeowner's bicycle.

The suspects drove away in the vehicle and the victim found his garage door open and a broken window. No arrests were made.

Teenager Mugged In Castro 

Early on May 6th at 4:20am, a 17-year-old woman was walking near 19th and Noe when another woman in her twenties approached the teenager and grabbed money out of her hand. The suspect then fled in a vehicle and no arrest was made.

Castro Community On Patrol Volunteer Training

Castro Community On Patrol is offering volunteer training on May 20th from 1–4pm. To learn more about its practical certification course and get the class location, register on CCOP's event page.

Did we miss any notable crimes around the neighborhood? Send us a tip here or add a comment below. Or text Hoodline at (415) 200-3233 if you see an incident, and we’ll see what we can find out.