Suspect Arrested After Threatening Muslim Woman, Toddler Son At Yerba Buena Gardens

Suspect Arrested After Threatening Muslim Woman, Toddler Son At Yerba Buena GardensChildren in the playground at Yerba Buena Gardens. | Photo: Karen L./Yelp
Allie Pape
Published on March 23, 2017

A suspect has been arrested after threatening to shoot a Muslim woman who was playing with her toddler son at Yerba Buena Gardens. 

The incident occurred this past Friday, March 17th around 7:20pm, when the woman and her son were approached while playing in the park at 4th and Howard streets. The suspect made anti-Muslim remarks to the woman, who was wearing a hijab, and told her that he was going to shoot her.

The woman and her son fled the area and called the police. A few blocks away, police sergeants found and detained a man who matched her description, and arrested him. 

The suspect, 27-year-old San Francisco resident Joshua Ruano, was booked into county jail on charges of criminal threats with a hate crime enhancement and other unrelated charges.

Joshua Ruano. | Photo: Courtesy of SFPD

Though an arrest has been made, anyone with information is encouraged to contact SFPD anonymously at (415) 575-4444, or text-a-tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with 'SFPD.'