We think it is safe to say that those individuals who comprise the criminal-element in San Francisco are, by far, a collection of the most exceptionally-talented, although somewhat challenged, criminals at-large . . .
Consider, for example, the individual being chased by Officer Daniel Kroos, Officer Jose Jimenez, Officer Ryan Daugherty, Officer Brent Dittmer, Officer Luis Prieto, and Officer Michael Phillips. It all started when the officers spotted the suspect who had just robbed several tourists at 24th and Mission Streets at gunpoint. Once the officers started their pursuit, the suspect jumped a high fence and smashed through a side door of a residence which led down a dark hallway to a backyard. (The officers had no idea the suspect was waiting for them to follow while armed with a modified sawed-off shotgun with a pistol grip.) But the officers thought better and set up a perimeter. Meanwhile, the suspect decided to continue his escape and jumped another fence making his way to a service entrance, then ran across the street and jumped 2 more high-fenced walls between houses, and continued his hurdling career traversing several more backyards. The suspect eventually emerged on Valencia Street where his final vault was over a wall onto Horace Mann School property where he was cornered and captured. This individual would be a worthy candidate for the first-ever, Criminal Olympics staged in our great City. Even Usain Bolt wouldn’t be able to carry this man’s running shoes . . .
Officer Ocean Embody and Officer Francisco Rodriquez contacted an individual in Golden Gate Park who appeared to be in distress. After a subsequent investigation, the officers located several loaded shotguns in this individual’s car parked nearby. The man was taken for a psychiatric evaluation. Approximately 20 days later this same suspect re-surfaced in a threat investigation. This time Sergeant Rachel Murphy, Officer Elizabeth Prillinger, Officer John Andrews, and Officer Richard Bodisco initiated a follow-up and located him with the same vehicle which, this time, contained 2 more loaded firearms, a rifle scope, 14 knives, narcotics, camouflage fatigues, survivalist apparel, and, of course, 5800 rounds of ammunition! And that’s what makes our criminals so unique. What other City has a criminal element that can be so ingenious at obtaining deadly weapons and over 5,000 rounds of ammunition right after a psyche hold?!!
Sergeant Andy Meehan and Officer John Barcojo initiated a traffic stop on a car for a minor offense, unknowing that the suspect had just been released from state prison after serving 2 years for assault with a firearm and armed robbery. Sergeant Meehan approached the driver while Officer Barcojo was running the plate. The driver was acting a little too suspicious and was asked to step from the car. It was at this time that Officer Barcojo located a fully-loaded, .38 revolver on the driver’s side floorboard.
This next story involves an individual who is, without a doubt, deranged. The reportee told Officer Elizabeth Morse, Officer Mari Shephard, and Inspector Elaine Economus that she left her 2 dogs with her boyfriend for a few days and when she returned she found them both shaking and in fear of her. Her carpet was still blood-stained even after someone had tried to hide the fact that apparently an assault of the animals took place. The woman rushed the dogs to the pet hospital where the veterinarian reported that both animals had been beaten badly and suffered from “full force trauma.” Unfortunately, Ziggy, an 18-month-old poodle weighing 13 pounds, succumbed to his injuries. Inspector Economus, working with Officer Morse and Officer Shephard, obtained a $100,000.00 arrest warrant for the suspect. One month later, Elizabeth and Mari located the suspect who took advantage of 2 defenseless animals and dropped him off for an extended stay at City Prison . . .
The suspect was overly helpful in answering questions to the point where Officer Gabriel Rivera felt there was no need to investigate further during a recent detention of an individual on probation. That was until Officer Rivera felt what he believed to be a concealed handgun in the suspect’s jacket. The previous cooperation now turned into a full-out struggle and, with the assistance of Officer Michael Shavers, Officer Murray Daggs, and Officer William Elieff the suspect and loaded weapon were taken into custody.
Officer Meighan Lyons and Officer Trent Collins were dispatched to a call involving a man who was acting irrational, had just driven off with his 5-year old daughter, and was armed with a gun. Officer Lyons managed to contact the individual and persuaded him to return to their location. Once the individual returned the officers located a loaded firearm in the passenger compartment of the subject’s car, unsecured and easily accessible to the child.
The car was stopped by Officer Aaron Foltz and Officer Tom MacMahon for a few minor traffic infractions. The driver of the vehicle could not produce any of the ownership information and was extremely nervous dealing with the officers. The driver suddenly reached into his jacket pocket after being asked not to and, after a brief struggle, the officers recovered a fully-loaded, 9mm semi-automatic. A subsequent investigation revealed the suspect was moving a quantity of narcotics, something that will not be tolerated by the members of the Tenderloin Task Force!
The attempt to sneak over $60,000 un-taxed (and who knows ‘how earned’) dollars through SFO by an individual wearing a military uniform was interrupted by Officer Britt Elmore after a lengthy investigation. Britt discovered that the suspect wearing the camouflage outfit never served a day of military service and was just using the uniform he purchased to mask his real intent. Impersonating the real heroes who protect and serve our country should be a felony in and of itself . . .
And Officer Anthony Ravano put together a felony case after a lengthy investigation that involved a suspect who, for the past 32 years, had been using the identity of his former roommate from college. The suspect had been working, filing taxes, and even went to prison under the other man’s name. The victim had been denied medical care and other badly needed social services all because of the identity theft.
The armed robbery went down at 22nd and Alabama with the 2 victims calling 9-1-1 to report the incident. K-9 Officer Jose Jimenez responded from a block away and found the suspects entering a parked car. Officer Jimenez detained one individual who was carrying a loaded, and stolen, semi-automatic. Officer Ryan Daugherty and Officer Brent Dittmer grabbed the second suspect and Officer Bernal Ng, Officer Gerald Bernal, and Officer Gian Tozzini managed to capture the last outstanding felon who was also in possession of a loaded, semi-automatic. Turns out the gun that was reported stolen was used in a double murder in the state of Georgia . . .
We’ve had several extremely close calls over the past few weeks involving officers dealing with suspects in possession of loaded weapons. And we’ve been very fortunate that each and every time things have worked out to the advantage of the officer(s). And that’s why this job is unlike any other in the world because of the risks taken. We can only hope those who would criticize the benefits associated with this occupation fully understand that there’s no assurance of going home after a watch . . .
Stay safe.
