Aggressive robbery in Golden Gate Park on Thursday

On Thursday evening, I was witness to and nearly a victim of an aggressive robbery near the bison paddock on JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park. I was photographing great horned owls. Around 8:10PM, I was packing up equipment and putting it in my car. Another photographer was doing the same further down the road behind me. As this person got in their car, I saw a small white car pull up and abruptly stop right next to it. A masked man jumped out and began smashing in the rear window of the other photographer’s car.

By the time I got my wits about me and managed to get into my car and start the engine - no more than 10 seconds - they had finished robbing the other person and had now pulled up alongside me. The passenger-side door opened and the masked assailant began to step out, ready to smash his way into my car. With only a few seconds to spare, I stepped on the gas and pulled away, fully expecting that they would give up and flee. But they chased me, and pulled up alongside me, either trying to run me off the road or cut me off and stop me. I sped up and got ahead of them.

Probably going 50MPH with the assailants’ car right behind me, we ran through two stop signs and barreled over speed bumps for nearly a mile before they slowed down, made a U-turn, and disappeared out the 33rd Ave gate. (Keep in mind, I bike this road nearly every day and am very respectful of more vulnerable road users when in my car. I gave the few cyclists that happened to be out a wide berth as we passed.)

I circled back and by then the cops were there. I gave a statement, along with the other victim and two witnesses. Nobody saw their faces or license plate. They were fast, prepared, and extremely aggressive.

The officer explained that these smash-and-grabs are merely considered property crimes and are NOT considered violent crimes (yes, you read that correctly) so they don't really pursue them, and if they did hypothetically make an arrest, the judge would just let them go, including repeat offenders. He even said if police were to witness one of these incidents occur, they would NOT chase the culprits. He also informed me that if one were to fight back and injure (or worse) one of these thieves during a robbery, then that person would likely be charged with assault for using violence against a "non-violent" criminal. Unbelievable. So scary and so very frustrating.

So be careful out there. I am finished shooting pictures and video in the park. Way too dangerous, and the police are not going to be there when you need them. And even if they were, they likely wouldn't help you anyway. I'm sharing this story as a reminder to others to stay in groups, and always be aware of your surroundings.

This also makes me think about how vulnerable we all are when we're gearing up or returning to our cars with expensive fishing gear, radios, cameras, and so on. One thing this has taught me is that you should never assume you're safe because you're in or next to your car.

All for now.

glad you are Ok.

SF is in the news now for  poor law enforcement results. Also home burglaries etc in SF are way up as crooks - same crooks - have shifted away from tourist robberies during pandemic.

Wow, glad you made it out safely. That's insane, a car chase seems more than just a property crime in this instance? It's ridiculous how little is done about this though, it almost seems like SF is enabling this type of behavior. Potentially let go repeat offenders? What? Mind as well make property crimes legal so everyone can do it candidly

I remember when I lived in SOMA, I would hear windows being smashed, and see people running by the cars but it happens so fast little can really be done. Really makes you feel helpless

Thanks for the reminder to be vigilant of our surroundings

Welcome to CA. This is what the voters want with lessening punishments for crimes, changing categories of crimes, etc.

Holy bison! This has been happening a lot more frequently in SF and the general consensus here is that the DA Boudin hasn't been doing enough. Glad you're ok.

Sorry that happened to you, glad you got away.

The officer explained that these smash-and-grabs are merely considered property crimes and are NOT considered violent crimes (yes, you read that correctly) so they don't really pursue them, and if they did hypothetically make an arrest, the judge would just let them go, including repeat offenders. He even said if police were to witness one of these incidents occur, they would NOT chase the culprits. He also informed me that if one were to fight back and injure (or worse) one of these thieves during a robbery, then that person would likely be charged with assault for using violence against a "non-violent" criminal. Unbelievable.

That's completely fucked.  What kind of ass-backwards logic?  Just submit to being a victim, and they don't give a shit unless you fight back...then they'll care just enough to arrest YOU?!?   Wow...  Basically a green light for shitbags to do what they want with impunity.  Suprised they didn't give YOU a ticket for speeding and running stop signs to get away.  It sounds like we're supposed to just sit still and get robbed with a smile on our face...

Sorry that happened to you, glad you got away.

The officer explained that these smash-and-grabs are merely considered property crimes and are NOT considered violent crimes (yes, you read that correctly) so they don't really pursue them, and if they did hypothetically make an arrest, the judge would just let them go, including repeat offenders. He even said if police were to witness one of these incidents occur, they would NOT chase the culprits. He also informed me that if one were to fight back and injure (or worse) one of these thieves during a robbery, then that person would likely be charged with assault for using violence against a "non-violent" criminal. Unbelievable.

That's completely fucked.  What kind of ass-backwards logic?  Just submit to being a victim, and they don't give a shit unless you fight back...then they'll care just enough to arrest YOU?!?   Wow...  Basically a green light for shitbags to do what they want with impunity.  Suprised they didn't give YOU a ticket for speeding and running stop signs to get away.  It sounds like we're supposed to just sit still and get robbed with a smile on our face...

I know, I wouldn't be surprised if I get a ticket in the mail.

After it was over, the officer got our statements, then went over and wrote down my plate #. Then while I chatted briefly with the other victim, the cop got in his patrol car and just drove away! He left us standing there in the dark, alone and vulnerable, without saying a word. I couldn't believe it. He should have offered to escort us out of the park. Super unprofessional in my opinion. We could have been robbed again right then and there. I've filed a complaint against him.

Im no expert here but surely the 'hot pursuit' element would have resulted in some charges? They put you in significant danger in forcing you to flee at high speeds and trying to cut you off. That would be reckless endangerment to say the least, if not something worse.

Doesnt really change your situation now, but i dont think that officer was right in their assessment of this case.

Glad you got away unharmed and untaxed from the bad guys.  Yet another reason I don't like to venture into the city.

Did you happen to get the perp plates?  holler at me and lets do something within the law. 

Time to go out and look for the Ron Popiel's Pocket Fisherman...why you ask? Because now you are going to or coming back from fishing and carrying is lawful!  Pray tell what did this person use to break said window?  Would that now be a weapon?  Where is Dirty Harry when you need him? 

Did you happen to get the perp plates?  holler at me and lets do something within the law.

You think those foos were dumb enough to do this in their own vehicle?!   My moneys on boosted car, boosted plates or no plates.  Perps probably came over from Oakland, Richmond or Antioch to hunt. 

That's gotta the most stoopid and freaking crazy SF city laws. That's how they get the crime statistic down. By turning violence crimes into non violence crimes. We do not have the rights to protect our own properties, and we instead get charged with assault if we do? 
At the same time, they're singing the tune of defunding the police so the normal and law abiding citizens can get screwed over even more.

Did you happen to get the perp plates?  holler at me and lets do something within the law.

You think those foos were dumb enough to do this in their own vehicle?!   My moneys on boosted car, boosted plates or no plates.  Perps probably came over from Oakland, Richmond or Antioch to hunt.

If they weren't wearing masks, I'd probably bet 50/50 that car might be theirs.  But these dudes sound like they've done this before, so I'd bet on stolen car. 

Glad it ended ok for you Malibu_Two...people are getting more desperate and wild these days.

I always carry my wasp spray just in case I run into a nasty wasps nest. When fishing the short wood gaff with the V hook works great. Vote out the useless DA in SF.