3 armed robberies occurred within a 10-hour time frame in Sunset District

(SAN FRANCISCO) Three violent armed robberies on one day within a 10-hour time frame occurred in Sunset District earlier this week on March 21. All six victims were Asians.

All three robberies are still under investigation by the Police Department. No arrests have been made.

Supervisor Gordon Mar expressed his concerns on the violence against the victims who were mostly seniors or older aged individuals.

”I was briefed about these extremely concerning residential burglaries in the Sunset. SFPD is investigating two incidents where residents came home during the day to find four armed suspects ransacking their homes. The incidents appear to be related,” said Mar.

Mar continued, “Fortunately, no one was injured, but the victims have suffered losses and deep trauma. I’m working with SFPD and the newly created Sunset Safety Network to ensure that these cases are fully investigated, perpetrators are brought to justice and residential and commercial burglaries are prevented in our neighborhoods.”

The first incident occurred at approximately 11:12 a.m on March 21. Officers responded to a residence on the 1300 block of 24th Avenue and met with the 89-year-old victim. He stated he came home and observed his gate had been damaged and his front door was open. The victim was confronted by four unknown suspects that were inside of his home.

One suspect brandished a firearm at the victim while the other suspects rummaged through the victim's pockets, stole his property, and then pushed the victim to the ground. The suspects fled the scene in a dark sedan.

About 90 minutes later, police received another report of home invasion robbery which occurred on the 1300 block of 45th Avenue. Three victims, two women and one man, aged 66, 67 and 59, were inside when three unknown suspects forced entry to their home.

The suspects were holding firearms when they demanded property from the victims. The suspects also ransacked the home and then fled in a dark sedan.

The third robbery occurred at the same night around 9 p.m. Two victims, a 40-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman, were outside of their vehicle when they were approached by two unknown suspects. The suspects brandished a firearm at the victims and demanded their property. The suspects stole the victim's property, including passport, cash and their vehicle and then fled the scene.

Taraval Station data indicates that as of March 13, the crime in the district is down 24% in robberies, 39% in assaults, 47% in home and commercial burglaries.

Mar, who is also the Chair of the Public Safety Committee in the Board of Supervisors, plans to call for a committee hearing on SFPD staffing in April. Police Chief William Scott informed the Supervisors in the Board meeting on Tuesday that the police department is down 500 officers based on new staffing analysis. “I would like to get ideas on how we can improve recruitment of bilingual officers,” said Mar.