FiDi & North Beach Crime: Officers Save Stranded Comedian, Ax Stabbing, Perfume Thief Arrested, More

FiDi & North Beach Crime: Officers Save Stranded Comedian, Ax Stabbing, Perfume Thief Arrested, MorePhoto: Geri Koeppel/Hoodline
Nathan Falstreau
Published on September 24, 2016

In last week's Central Station newsletter, Capt. David Lazar commended two officers for helping out a stranded local comedian and his husband.

"Congratulations to Officers Jared Lovrin and Caitlin Lowe for their great work..." he writes. "[Earlier this month], they responded to a stranded motorist in the Broadway Tunnel. They didn’t realize that the stranded motorist was comedian Scott Capurro along with his husband. The officers went above and beyond by returning to the station for our jump box in an effort to jumpstart the car, but it did not work. Then they found out that Mr. Capurro’s tow service would not allow for towing out of the tunnel, so the officers assisted in pushing the car out of the tunnel.

This would have never made it to my attention, had it not been for the fact that Mr. Capurro is a frequent guest of the Alice radio show on 97.3 FM. This morning, Mr. Capurro was very complimentary of the two officers on the show and what they did for him. Great work!"

Now, on to our bi-weekly crime roundup, culled from SFPD's daily recaps. 

Bank robbed after receiving note demanding cash

On September 9th at 3:14pm on the 200 block of California Street in the FiDi, a man in his 20s walked into a bank and wrote a note that said he had a gun. He handed the note to a 61-year-old female employee, who gave the suspect an unknown amount of cash before he fled on foot in an unknown direction. 

Man robbed of phone after being hit in the face with stun gun

In Chinatown near the corner of Pine Street and Grant Avenue on September 11th, a man in his 20s approached another man, 30, around 11:30pm, and asked him for some money. When the victim refused, the suspect allegedly tried to grab his cell phone. As the victim struggled to hold on, the suspect then took a stun gun and shocked him in his stomach and ultimately, his face. The victim dropped his phone and the suspect fled on foot. 

Man robbed after being hit with an object while walking

On September 14th at 6am, a 71-year-old man was robbed on Walter U. Lum Place in Chinatown. The suspect, for whom an age and description were not given, approached the victim from behind and hit him with an unknown object, knocking him to the ground. The suspect then took the victim's wallet, containing cash, cards and his identification before fleeing. The victim took himself to the hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. He suffered a cut to his head and scrapes on his elbow. 

Man punched in the head while crossing street

In Nob Hill, near the corner of Sacramento and Jones streets, on September 17th at 2am, a man, 40, was walking through a crosswalk when two suspects in their mid-20s to early 30s, who were driving in a sedan, honked their horn and yelled at the man to "hurry up." A verbal altercation began, and the suspects got out of their vehicle and punched the victim in the face several times, causing him to lose consciousness. The suspects then stole the victim's phone and jacket, and fled in their vehicle northbound on Jones Street. The victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 

Man stabbed with an ax

A stabbing occurred in North Beach near the Safeway on the 2300 block of Powell Street on September 17th, just after 3pm. The victim, a 27-year-old man, and four suspects, all in their mid-20s to early 30s, were hanging out when a heated argument ensued. One of the suspects brandished an ax and then struck the victim in the stomach with it, causing a deep cut. The four suspects fled the scene in an unknown vehicle, and the victim, who was in non-life-threatening condition, was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Suspect injures man in attempted robbery 

Two men, 27 and 40, were walking on the 500 block of Sacramento Street in the FiDi on September 18th after midnight, when two suspects in their 20s approached them and demanded their property and cash. The two men said that they didn't have anything; one of the suspects then punched the 27-year-old victim numerous times on his face and body. When he eventually fell to the ground, the suspect kneed him in the face two more times before fleeing westbound on Sacramento Street. No items were reported stolen, but the victim was transported to the hospital with injuries to his shoulder. 

Perfume thief arrested

On September 19th just after 4pm, a woman, 54, entered a store on the 100 block of Stockton Street in Union Square and stole bottles of perfume. She was confronted by an employee, 29, and used force against him in hopes of retaining the stolen loot. Officers responded to the scene and were able to take her into custody. 

Camera thieves taken into custody, thanks to witness

On September 20th just before 8pm in Chinatown, a man, 23, was standing on the corner of Stockton and Clay streets when three male suspects in their early 20s pulled up to where he was standing. Two of the suspects got out of their vehicle, attacked the man and nabbed his camera before fleeing the scene in the car. A witness to the incident followed the suspect vehicle and was able to flag down SFPD officers who eventually arrested all three suspects. The victim suffered a minor injury to his finger, but refused medical attention. 

Suspect threatens to kill a man, arrested by police

A man, 40, was at the Ferry Building on September 21st at 4:30pm when another man, 47 pulled out a knife and told him that he was going to "kill him." A nearby security guard was able to detain the suspect until police arrived and took him into custody. 

Man stabbed during fight, pulls out handgun in defense 

Just after midnight on September 22nd, at the corner of Mason and Geary streets, two men got into a physical fight. The suspect, a man, 51, stabbed the victim, 36, several times in his back and side. The victim retrieved a handgun from his car and chased the suspect until he heard police sirens and stashed it away back in his vehicle. SFPD arrived and took the suspect into custody; the victim was taken to the hospital in non-life-threatening condition. SFPD night investigation team members took over and recovered the handgun from the victim's car. 

Hot prowl burglary averted after victim detains suspect

A hot prowl burglary occurred at 5:40am on September 22nd, on the 2000 block of Larkin Street (at Broadway) in Nob Hill. The victim, 56, heard some noise coming from his bathroom, and when he opened the door, he found the suspect, 36. He was able to detain him until police arrived and took the suspect into custody. The suspect had attempted to steal the victim's cell phone and keys, but both items were recovered.