Bay Area/ San Francisco/ Crime & Emergencies
Published on February 05, 2018
Castro Crime: Reckless Van Driver, Armed Twin Peaks Robbery, MoreSFFD cleaning up aftermath of van crash. | Photo: David Warczak/Instagram

Here's an overview of notable incidents reported around the Castro since our last crime roundup.

All reports come from the police department's daily recaps, unless otherwise noted.

2-on-1 armed robbery

On February 4th at 2:30am, two male suspects, 20-30, approached a 24-year-old man from behind near Sanchez and 18th. While they grabbed the victim's hair, one suspect brandished a gun and demanded the victim's purse. The suspects fled with the victim's purse, phone, wallet, ID, and keys. No arrests were made.

Man assaulted after exiting Muni bus 

Later on February 4th, a 38-year-old man was exiting a Muni bus near 16th and Dolores at 11:56pm when a younger man, 28-30, assaulted him with a cell phone in an unprovoked attack. The victim was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries and no arrest was made.

Armed robbery at Twin Peaks overlook

On February 3rd at 11:05pm, a 20-year-old man was sitting in his vehicle at the Twin Peaks overlook when another man, 20-25, approached and brandished a gun. The suspect reached into the victim's car and stole his backpack before fleeing to an awaiting car, driven by another male suspect. No arrests were made.

Aggravated assault ends in arrest

On February 1st at 8:32pm, a 45-year-old man assaulted a 38-year-old man near Market and Church. The older suspect punched the victim, who fell to the ground. Officers arrived and arrested the suspect, and the victim was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Robber knocks man unconscious

On January 22nd at 7pm, a 40-year-old man was walking near Collingwood and 18th when an unknown suspect hit him and knocked him unconscious before stealing his wallet and money. The victim was transported to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries, but listed in stable condition.

Van driver arrested after sidewalk mayhem

On January 20th at 3:16pm, a van jumped the curb on Castro near Market, taking out multiple parking meters, trees, and leaning posts (incident pictured at top of article).

The driver, 70-year-old Kenneth Rotter, then drove on the sidewalk and turned onto 18th, where he was eventually pulled over and arrested near 18th and Sanchez.

Video from bystanders captured the incident, and while no pedestrians were reported injured, storefronts including Rossi's Deli were damaged. Rotter was charged with aggravated assault, attempted murder, felony vandalism, hit and run, reckless driving, driving under the influence (drugs), and vehicle code violations.

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

Did we miss any notable crimes around the neighborhood? Email us a tip here, or text Hoodline at 415-200-3233.

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