Capt. Denis O'Leary: Police Beat

What do you think?
Officers Brennan and Lopez were responding to a call of a hit-and-run traffic collision at Orizaba Avenue and Randolph Street. While on their way, they saw a car, a 1994 Saturn, with major front-end damage being driven erratically at Lakeview and Brighton streets. Both officers glanced at each other with skeptical looks and stopped the car. While the hit and run victim could not identify the driver of the damaged car as the driver in the hit and run, he did tell the officers that the driver was the person who drove the Saturn away from the collision. Seems that the four occupants of the suspect vehicle fled on foot after the crash.

As it turned out, the Saturn was reported stolen. The juvenile driver was arrested for vehicle theft.

He should run down the hill
A man from Bakersfield entered the Walgreens at 22nd Avenue and Irving Street and quickly filled a canvas bag with cosmetics. A store employee saw the man leave the store without paying for the goods and she gave chase and called out for help.

A good citizen gave chase on foot with the Walgreens' employee. Another pair of citizens followed in their car. The thief was stopped at 20th Avenue and Judah Street, after running up a hill. Sergeant Vickie Quinn and Officer Fred Wong took the suspect into custody - he was booked at Taraval Station for theft and narcotics paraphernalia charges.

All in a day's work
Officer Barbara Dullea, Taraval Station's park officer, responded to Sunset Boulevard and Noriega Street on the call of a man setting up camp there.

She found a blue tent in the bushes with one occupant. Before sending the man on his way, a warrant check was conducted. The camper was booked on outstanding warrants at Taraval Station.

A very expensive estimate
An 85-year-old woman living on 22nd Avenue reported that two men rang her doorbell and claimed they were on the crew that painted the exterior of her house. They volunteered to give an estimate for painting the interior of the house.

The woman invited the men in and they proceeded to inspect the interior walls. A tenant who thought the two acted very suspiciously confronted the pair. They quickly left after submitting a $550 bid. The woman soon discovered $10,000 missing from her bedroom.

What's love got to do with it?
Officers Lee and Filamor were sent to the 1300 block of 21st Avenue to meet with a SF Department of Parking and Traffic officer on the call of a stolen car.

The parking control officer explained that she was sent to cite a car for blocking a driveway. While citing the Lexus, another woman approached our meter maid and used a key to enter the car.

A records check showed that the plate on the Lexus belonged to a different car. Further inquiries showed the Lexus was reported stolen. Seems the woman with the car key had been dating the owner of the Lexus. He told the officers that he gave his girlfriend his car keys while they were on a date last month. She never returned and he soon discovered his car missing. The girlfriend was booked at Taraval Station.

Is nothing sacred?
A woman called Taraval Station from her home on 35th Avenue near Sloat Boulevard to report that packages left by the post office were immediately stolen. Seems that her toddler's birthday gifts were left on the doorstep and a thief, who apparently followed the postal carrier, then took the presents.

Capt. Denis O'Leary is the commanding officer at the Taraval Police Station.