A car break-in at a popular parking lot in the Presidio gave way to a car chase and collision in the Richmond yesterday afternoon.

Shortly after 4 p.m. October 17, national park service rangers in the Presidio observed a man and a woman attempting a car break-in at Langdon Court Parking, the popular, lightly wooded parking lot at the batteries overlooking the Golden Gate. 

Golden Gate National Recreation Area communications director Charlie Strickfaden confirmed that the lot is a frequent hot spot for car burglaries. "It's very, very popular with tourists and locals that use the coastal trail," he said.

Car break-ins have long been a plague to the SFPD, particularly in tourist hot spots like Golden Gate Park, Fisherman's Wharf, North Beach, and Twin Peaks. They often go unobserved.

But "when a man and a woman saw that they were being observed" by park rangers yesterday, Strickfaden said, "they drove their vehicle away" attempting a getaway.

The suspects drove southwest through the Presidio, towards Camino del Mar, with rangers giving chase. The suspects ultimately "collided with several other cars at the intersection of 25th and Clement," Strickfaden said. No collateral injuries were reported.

The suspects then fled on foot. One was apprehended with the use of a taser, and SFPD and U. S. Park Police officers arrived shortly after.

"Both suspects were apprehended," Strickfaden confirmed, "and they'll be charged with fleeing to elude, hit-and-run, resisting arrest, and the possession of burglary tools."

Thanks to tipster Madalyn F.