Inner Sunset Crime: Cop Busts Motorist With Body Cam, Hot Prowls, Skater Filmmakers Cited, More

Inner Sunset Crime: Cop Busts Motorist With Body Cam, Hot Prowls, Skater Filmmakers Cited, More

Photo: Walter Thompson/Hoodline

Walter Thompson
Published on September 13, 2016

The Inner Sunset's criminal element is fairly consistent: thefts from vehicles continue to be the leading offense in the area, and indeed, citywide. In light of that fact, we're omitting car break-ins from this recap of recent police activity—there are just too many to include.

All recaps are presented in reverse chronological order; details come from SFPD, unless otherwise noted. 

Sunday, September 11th

At 9pm, officers from Taraval Station responded to the 1400 block of 12th Avenue to investigate a suspected hot prowl burglary—a theft from an occupied home. According to the report, a male victim "woke to discover" that someone had used a remote garage door opener kept in his car to gain access to his garage and steal some food.

Tuesday, September 6th

At 6:18pm, a traffic collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian was called in to Taraval Station.

Later that evening, officers responded to a report of fraud by impersonation at 19th & Santiago.

Monday, September 5th

At 12:34pm, officers responded to a two-vehicle collision at Kirkham St. & 11th Avenue.

A vehicle described as a "blue 2014 ZZ Fiddel" was reported stolen at 11:39pm from the 1800 block of 8th Avenue. 

Sunday, September 4th

A gray 1999 Toyota Corolla was reported stolen at 6:38pm near the corner of 19th Avenue and Lawton Street.

Skateboarders allegedly hoped to use this block as a filming location. | PHOTO: GOOGLE

Friday, September 3rd

At 2:24 pm, a Taraval Station officer advised a group of skateboarders "preparing to film themselves" on the 2000 block of 9th Avenue that doing so would be illegal, and reportedly referred them to one of "numerous skate parks in the area."

After leaving the scene, the officer "received a report of skateboarders in the street," returned to investigate, and cited the skaters she had observed earlier.

Thursday, September 1st

At approximately 11:36pm, an officer who "observed a vehicle blow[ing] through a stop sign" at Frederick and Willard used one of the police department's newly issued body cameras to trip up a mendacious motorist.

After Ofc. Chicas pulled over the female driver, she "began arguing and claiming she did stop," until he "showed the video to the violator, who then changed her story." An investigation revealed that the driver was also driving with a suspended license; she was cited for both violations.

Saturday, August 27th

On the 3000 block of 19th Avenue, Taraval Station officers responded at 3:40am to a call concerning a hot prowl. The 80-year-old male victim told police that he heard someone "force his or her way through the front door." After the resident called 911, the suspect "exited the house without taking anything."

SFPD Taraval Station. | PHOTO: GOOGLE

Thursday, August 25th

A vehicle was reported as stolen from the 1400 block of 5th Avenue at 1:35am.

Wednesday, August 24th

A stolen vehicle was recovered from the 600 block of Laguna Honda Boulevard at 7:26pm.

Sunday, August 21st

Officers from Park Station were dispatched to Hugo Street and 3rd Avenue after a report of a battery, which is currently being investigated.

Saturday, August 13th

At 10:31am, an unknown victim reported the theft of their car near the intersection of Funston and Moraga.

A 29-year-old Muni driver escorted a 30-year-old suspect off of the bus near the intersection of 15th Avenue and Judah at 6:13pm, but the suspect reboarded and took the driver's backpack before fleeing the scene. After the driver gave chase and compelled the suspect to return his property, Taraval Station officers "arrived on scene and took [the suspect] into custody."

Friday, August 12th

A vehicle was reported stolen from the 20 block of Twin Peaks Boulevard.

Community Meetings

At tonight's monthly Park Station meeting, representatives of the San Francisco Deltas soccer team will be on hand to answer questions about their plans to play at Kezar Stadium, which entail selling alcohol.

Taraval Station's next community relations forum will be held on Tuesday, September 20th from 7-9pm at the station house (1234 Taraval St.) Capt. Denise Flaherty is scheduled to attend.