Glen Park Store Robbed; Owner Beaten And Stabbed, Employee Kidnapped

Grocer beaten, robbed in Glen Park

Rachel Gordon, Chronicle Staff Writer

Sunday, August 31, 2008
(08-30) 19:06 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- Armed robbers beat and stabbed the owner of a corner grocery store in San Francisco's Glen Park neighborhood late Friday night, and another store employee was kidnapped and later released, police reported.

Paul Park, who owns Buddies Market at the corner of Chenery and Diamond streets, was getting ready to go home around 11 p.m. when he was confronted by three or four suspects who reportedly broke in through the rear door.

"The suspects beat and stabbed the store's owner, robbed the store of cash, and kidnapped an employee. The suspects escaped by stealing the store's van. The employee was released in Daly City," San Francisco police Capt. Denis O'Leary wrote in a crime alert he e-mailed to neighborhood residents and merchants.

He described the suspects as black males wearing dark clothing.

Park, who had been bound and gagged and was suffering from multiple stab wounds, managed to cross the street and seek help at Le P'tit Laurent, a French bistro.

"It was really scary, really terrible," said owner Laurent Legendre, who summoned police.

Park was in critical condition at San Francisco General Hospital today. The name and condition of the employee who was kidnapped was not immediately available.

Park is known by neighbors as a hard-working businessman who puts in long hours at his mom-and-pop store.

The store's van, which was used in the getaway, is still missing. It is a tan-colored 2002 Toyota Siena, with California license plate No. 4VHN307. Police ask anyone who spots the van to call 911.

Anyone with additional information about the crime is asked to call the SFPD robbery unit at 415-553-1201 during normal business hours or the operations center after hours at 415-553-1071.

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Police Warn Residents About Multiple Cases Of Arson

SF: POLICE WARN CITY OF MULTIPLE CASES OF ARSON

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

The San Francisco Police Department today is warning city residents of a number of arson fires over the last two months.

In more than 10 incidents, police say a suspect places newspaper against a building and lights it on fire. The first such fire occurred on June 23 and the most recent fire was started Tuesday, with the fires also set between 11:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Police said the fires have been started in Chinatown, the Financial District, Russian Hill, Pacific Heights and Presidio Heights neighborhoods.

Anyone witnessing similar suspicious activity should immediately call police.

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Obama Supporter Stabbed In The Face - Man Gets Two Years For Attack On Muni Driver

- A man was stabbed around 6 p.m. this evening, after getting into a confrontation with another man at 5th and Market Streets. The victim, who was working at a stand supporting Barack Obama, was approached by another man who started arguing with him. The man then left, only to return with a knife which he used to stab the victim in the face. Two cops witnessed the altercation, and arrested the assailant. The victim was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

- Another man was sentenced to two years in jail for a November 2007 attack on a Muni driver. The suspect, Hakeem Perry, attacked bus driver Ely Advincula on the 29-Sunset Bus in the Presidio, pulling the driver out of the bus where he proceeded to "beat him and slam him against a wall." Advicula suffered broken facial bones, cuts and bruises. Perry claims that he suffers from schizophrenia, and has a prior conviction in Washington State for felony assault, as well as a misdemeanor in Alameda County related to a fight.

Three Stores Robbed Thursday Morning

Clerks Robbed At Gunpoint At 3 SF Stores

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) ― Store clerks in three San Francisco neighborhoods were robbed at gunpoint over a four-hour period early Thursday morning, San Francisco police said.

Police do not yet know whether the robberies are connected.

The first happened in the city's Mission District at about 1:20 a.m. when two men robbed a store clerk in the 3100 block of 24th Street before fleeing on foot, police said.

At 4:56 a.m., a second store clerk was robbed at gunpoint by two men in the 3000 block of San Jose Avenue in the city's Mission Terrace neighborhood.

About 10 minutes later, a third clerk was robbed at gunpoint by three men in the 2000 block of Ocean Avenue, in the city's Ingleside Terrace neighborhood.

None of the clerks was injured and no arrests have been made, police said.

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Two Injured In Tenderloin Shootings

SF: TWO SHOOTINGS INJURE TWO PEOPLE

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

Two people were injured in separate shootings in the Tenderloin neighborhood this evening, San Francisco police said.

The first incident took place in the 200 block of McAllister Street at about 5:40 p.m., according to police

The next shooting occurred near the intersection of Hyde Street and Golden Gate Avenue around 8 p.m., police said.

No arrests were made in connection with either shooting, but police said there are possible suspects being considered in at least one of the incidents.

Both victims were transported to area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.

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Two Stabbed In the Excelsior

SF: TWO VICTIMS STABBED IN CITY'S EXCELSIOR DISTRICT

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

Two victims were stabbed tonight in San Francisco's Excelsior District, according to San Francisco fire Lt. Carl Drake.

The stabbing was reported around 9 p.m. in the 400 block of Paris Street, according to Drake.

The victims were transported to San Francisco General Hospital in one ambulance and were expected to survive their injuries, Drake said.

Suspect information was not immediately available.

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Mission District Shooting Kills Man

Man shot dead in SF's Mission District

Wyatt Buchanan, Chronicle Staff Writer

Sunday, August 24, 2008
(08-24) 10:40 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- An 18-year-old San Francisco man was shot and killed early today in the city's Mission District.

Jorge Hurtado was shot around 1 a.m. at 23rd and Treat streets. He was taken to San Francisco General Hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to the medical examiner. Police have made no arrests in the killing.

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Man In Critical Condition After Visitacion Valley Shooting

Man shot in Vis Valley

Steve Rubenstein, Chronicle Staff Writer

Saturday, August 23, 2008
(08-23) 19:46 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- A 20-year-old man was hospitalized in critical condition on Saturday in San Francisco after being shot six times, police said.

The shooting was reported at 5:30 p.m. at Brookdale Avenue and Santos Street in Visitacion Valley.

The unidentified victim was taken to San Francisco General Hospital.

No suspects have been arrested, police said.

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Man Shot To Death In The Mission

S.F. man, 47, shot to death on Mission District street

Henry K. Lee, Chronicle Staff Writer

Friday, August 22, 2008
(08-22) 11:55 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- A 47-year-old man was shot and killed early today in San Francisco's Mission District, police said.

Samuel Mitchell of San Francisco was found shot numerous times about 12:05 a.m. near 26th and Folsom streets. He was taken to San Francisco General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

There were no reports of arrests.

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Person Stabbed In the Tenderloin

SF: PERSON WITH STAB WOUNDS WALKS INTO FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR HELP

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

A person was stabbed in San Francisco on Sunday night and walked into the Fire Department for help, a police officer said.

The person had apparently been stabbed in the upper abdomen and left wrist but police were unsure of the victim's condition.

The victim, who reportedly knew the suspect, walked into the Fire Department at 934 Larkin St. around 10:30 p.m., police said.

Police did not have a report of any subsequent arrests.

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Man Shot In the Mission

Man shot in Mission district, expected to survive

Bay City News 8/17/08
SAN FRANCISCO – A man was shot in the Mission district on Saturday night and he is expected to survive, a police officer said.

The shooting was reported around 10:40 p.m. at Valencia and 18th streets, police said.

The streets were reportedly closed for at least a couple hours in the area while police investigated the scene.

No suspects were arrested.

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Man Stabbed To Death On Market Street - Man Critically Injured In Mission District Shooting

San Francisco police are investigating a Thursday night shooting in the Mission District that has left a man in critical condition.

Police received a call at about 10:50 p.m. of a shooting in the 2200 block of Mission Street. Officers arrived to find an adult male suffering from a single gunshot wound, police said.

The victim was taken to San Francisco General Hospital where he is in critical condition, police said. No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting.

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Man fatally stabbed in S.F.

Steve Rubenstein

Friday, August 15, 2008
(08-15) 07:53 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- A man was stabbed to death on Market Street in San Francisco on Friday following an early-morning fight, police said.
More Bay Area News

Officers summoned to the scene of a reported "fight in progress" in the 1200 block of Market Street arrived at 1:55 a.m. to find the unidentified victim dead from multiple stab wounds.

There have been no arrests, police said.

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Man Found Guilty Of Torturing Girlfriend

SF: CITY MAN FOUND GUILTY OF TORTURE FOR STABBING GIRLFRIEND

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

After three days of deliberation, a jury convicted a 51-year-old San Francisco man of stabbing and torturing his former girlfriend in January 2005, San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris announced today.

Francisco Ramirez was found guilty of torture, aggravated mayhem and assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the attack on 38-year-old Sonya Baisden, according to the district attorney's office.

Court documents said Baisden broke up with Ramirez while he was incarcerated in a separate case and that while still in custody he threatened to hurt her.

On Jan. 3, 2005, Ramirez caught a taxi to the hotel where Baisden was staying in the Mission District after being released from jail, according to court documents. Upon his arrival, Ramirez called the victim, telling her to come and pay for this cab ride.

Instead, Baisden told a hotel attendant not to let Ramirez inside but he was able to get in, follow her into her room and lock the door, court documents allege.

Ramirez then attacked Baisden with a set of steak knives she had bought that day, according to the district attorney's office. Baisden was stabbed in the left and right thigh, the left abdomen and the right shoulder blade.

Court documents said the blades broke off in the victim's body but that Ramirez continued to stab Baisden even while she cried out. He then took out two more knives and slashed her face twice.

The jury handed down their verdict Wednesday, additionally finding Ramirez guilty of special allegations of great bodily injury involving domestic violence and burglary.

Although Baisden cooperated with police and prosecutors, the district attorney's office said she did not testify during the trial.

"This was a unique situation where prosecutors were able to try this gruesome and calculated case of domestic violence using testimony and evidence initially presented at the outset of the case," Harris said in a prepared statement.

"Although we understand the concerns that many domestic violence victims may have moving forward with a case, it is imperative for the prosecutors to have victims' ongoing involvement in order to convict these offenders," she said.

Ramirez is scheduled to appear back in court Tuesday to set a date for sentencing. The district attorney's office said the maximum statutory penalty for torture in life in state prison.

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Man Arrested For Series of Violent Robberies

SF: SUSPECT ARRESTED IN STRING OF ROBBERIES AND ATTACKS ON ELDERLY VICTIMS

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

San Francisco police today announced the arrest of a 46-year-old man suspected in a series of robberies and attacks on elderly victims in the city's lower Nob Hill neighborhood.

Dwayne Whitaker, of San Francisco, is suspected of robbing eight victims, all between the ages of 68 and 86, including one woman, since July 11, according to police.

In each of the cases, police believe the victims were trailed on foot as they walked home, and then confronted in their apartment lobbies.

Police said in the course of each robbery, the victims were brutally assaulted.

One victim was stabbed and another struck with a metal pipe, police said. None of the injuries were life-threatening, though one male victim had a non-fatal heart attack while being treated for his injuries at the hospital.

Whitaker was arrested Wednesday night following an attempted robbery in an apartment building lobby in the 1000 block of Jones Street, according to police.

Both the 55-year-old male victim and two neighbors detained him before police arrived, police said.

Whitaker was booked on charges of robbery, attempted robbery and aggravated assault, and remains in custody, police reported.

Others who may have been a robbery victim of the suspect are asked to contact Sgt. Scott Warnke of the robbery detail at (415) 553-1201.

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Two Men Shot Dead Near USF

SF: UPDATE: IDENTITIES RELEASED OF VICTIMS IN DOUBLE MURDER NEAR USF

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

The San Francisco medical examiner's office has released the names of two San Francisco men fatally shot this morning near the University of San Francisco.

Isiah Turner, 34, and Andre Helton, 18, were found shot to death at about 5:30 a.m. in a champagne-colored Mazda 626 parked on the street at 2445 Golden Gate Ave., police spokesman Sgt. Neville Gittens said.

Police were called to the area on a report of a suspicious vehicle with people sleeping inside it, but when officers arrived, they found the two men dead in the car, Gittens said.
The street remained closed to traffic this morning as the investigation into the shootings continued, Gittens said.

The shootings have unsettled residents of the normally quiet, residential neighborhood, according to university officials.

"It's absolutely out of the ordinary and shocking to everybody around here, both the university and the neighbors," university spokesman Gary McDonald said.

McDonald said the sedan was parked in a marked parking spot on the street, between Chabot and Kittredge terraces near the school's academic campus, but that there was "no indication" the victims were connected to the university.

He said the school's summer session had just ended, and fall classes begin in about two weeks.

"It's a very quiet time on our campus," he said.


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Man Shot Dead One Block From City Hall

Man shot dead near S.F. City Hall

Demian Bulwa, Chronicle Staff Writer

Wednesday, August 13, 2008
(08-13) 04:00 PDT San Francisco -- Police are investigating the fatal street shooting of a man late Monday night in the Western Addition neighborhood less than two blocks from City Hall.
More Bay Area News

The unidentified victim was approached by several suspects at 10:21 p.m. on the 600 block of McAllister Street, police said. One opened fire before they all fled on foot.

The victim was taken to San Francisco General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. No arrests have been made, police said.

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Woman Shot By Police - Murder Suspect Arrested - Carjacking Suspect Arrested

- A 60 year-old woman who was shot by police last week in the Mission District was apparently armed with a knife and lunged at officers before they opened fire.

- Robbie Valdespino, a 31-year-old city resident, and the suspect in last week's fatal Glen Park Shooting, turned himself in.

- An armed carjacking suspect was arrested last Thursday in Visitacion Valley after taking a couple's car at gunpoint in the Excelsior District.

Glen Park Shooting Kills Man

SF: SHOOTING IN GLEN PARK KILLS ONE

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

A man was fatally shot this evening in San Francisco's Glen Park neighborhood, according to police.

Officers were called to 813 Chenery St. around 6:30 p.m., a dispatcher said. There was a single victim and no arrests have been made in the case.

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Murder Suspect Arrested

SF Police Make Arrest In May Fatal Stabbing

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) ― A suspect in a May fatal stabbing in San Francisco was arrested Sunday, San Francisco police announced Monday.

Officers from the department's Taraval station arrested Carlos Gordon, 38, of San Francisco, Sunday afternoon in the 2800 block of Sloat Boulevard on a $2 million arrest warrant, police said.

Gordon was wanted for the May 19 murder of David Martinez, 41, of San Francisco.

Martinez was found stabbed near the intersection of 12th and Market streets at about 1 a.m., police said.

Police said at the time that Martinez had been stabbed multiple times and died at the hospital.

Gordon has since been identified as the suspect in the killing, police said.

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Shootings Kill One, Injure One

2 SF Shootings Leave 1 Dead, 1 Injured

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) ― Authorities are investigating two shootings in San Francisco Sunday that left one man dead and another injured, police said.

The first shooting was reported around 6:20 a.m. in the 200 block of Paul Avenue in the city's Bayview District, according to police.

The victim, described to be a man about 50 years old, was found suffering gunshot wounds and taken to a local hospital where he later died, police said.

No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting and no suspect information was immediately available.

Police said another shooting victim showed up at a local hospital at about 11 a.m. with injuries that did not appear to be life threatening.

The victim was reportedly uncooperative and it was not immediately clear where the shooting took place, police said.

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