Castro crime: 2 bank robberies, garage arson, dog theft, morePhoto: Evan Blaser/Flickr
Brian Ray
Published on August 16, 2018

It's time for another look at the notable crimes reported in the Castro since our last roundup. All details are from SFPD reports, unless otherwise noted.

Bank robbery, part I

On August 11 at 12:35 p.m., a 30-year-old man entered a bank near Castro and Market streets, demanding money from a teller. The teller complied, and the suspect was subsequently arrested by police.

Fake marijuana sellers threaten, rob man

Later on the 11th, at 5:55 p.m., an 18-year-old man was approached by a 19-year-old man, claiming to be selling marijuana, near 18th and Dolores streets. The older man waited for another 19-year-old companion to approach before demanding the younger man's property, threatening that he had a handgun. The two 19-year-olds then took the victim's wallet, phone, and money before fleeing on foot.

Argument over dog ownership leads to theft

On August 10 at 6:45 p.m., a 49-year-old woman was on a Muni bus with her border collie near 16th and Church streets when she was approached by the dog's previous owner, a 25-35 year old woman. The previous owner asked for the dog back, arguing that she did not get the dog out of impound fast enough. She then grabbed the dog out of the other woman's arms and fled the bus in an unknown direction.

Worth Street burglary

On August 8 at 4 a.m., a 71-year-old man heard a sounds in his attached garage near Worth and 21st. Upon investigation, he discovered that an unknown suspect had broken a side door window and opened the garage. No items were reported missing.

Suspects threaten victim with simulated gun before robbery

On August 2 at 2:15 a.m., a 31-year-old man was walking near 18th and Church when two male suspects, both in their 20s, approached and demanded his property, simulating that one of them had a gun. The suspects then shoved the victim to the ground and stole his money before fleeing.

Bank robbery, part II

On August 1st at 11:40 a.m., a man of unknown age entered a bank near Castro and Market, demanding money from a female teller. The teller complied, and the suspect fled on foot.

Burglar strikes Duboce home

At noon on July 28th, a 54-year-old man discovered that he had been the victim of a burglary at his home near 14th and Noe. The man discovered that his gate was forced open and that an unknown suspect had stolen money and a bicycle.

Assault and robbery leads to arrest

Later on the 28th between 10:30-11 p.m., a 49-year-old man was walking near 18th and Collingwood when another man, 49, struck him with a baton, causing non-life threatening injuries. The suspect then stole the victim's phone, wallet, and credit cards. The victim's credit card was later used at a motel near Market and Sanchez, where police found and arrested the suspect.

Two suspects push, rob woman

On July 27 at 9:10 p.m., a 49-year-old woman was walking near Sanchez and Hancock when two men in their 20s approached her and struggled with her over her bag. The suspects pushed the woman to the ground and fled with her bag and phone. No arrests were made, and the victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Man awakes to find his garage door on fire

On July 20th at 3 a.m., a 47-year-old man awoke to the smell of smoke at his residence near 19th and Eureka. He discovered that his garage door had been set on fire. No suspect was seen.


Anyone who has information about any of these incidents is encouraged to contact SFPD via the department's anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444, or text TIP411 with "SFPD" at the start of the message.

Here’s why we usually don’t include suspect descriptions in crime reports.