Woman in SF Chinatown Assaulted By Lurking Robbers in Broad Daylight

Editor’s Note: This post has been updated with a statement from SFPD and Officer Robert Rueca who described further details about the robbery.

Footage of a robbery and assault on Sunday in San Francisco’s Chinatown has been circulating on social media.

The incident, which was caught on surveillance cameras by the Stockton Street Tunnel near the intersection of Stockton Street and Sacramento Street, shows a hooded man, getting out of the left-hand side of a black sedan before he disappears from view.

He comes back into view of the surveillance camera, dragging a woman by their clothing with help from a second man, who gets out of the front passenger seat.

Based on the footage, there appear to be at least four people riding in the vehicle — someone closes the backdoor after the first man gets out; the second man who comes out to help; and the unseen driver.

The culprits drive off with the victim’s purse before the video ends, according to ABC7 San Francisco’s Dion Lim.

One Facebook user was one of the first people to share the clip online.

@Jackfroot also posted the same video on Instagram, claiming that the suspects may still be at large.

The incident follows a similar case of assault involving an elderly Asian man who was filmed being robbed of his cart of cans as the cameraman cheers on the alleged attacker while making racist remarks in the Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco. The man in his 70s has since been identified in that incident.

In a statement to NextShark, SFPD has acknowledged the incident:

“Yes, we are aware of the incident near the tunnel. We are also aware of the video clip. We are looking into the clip for appropriate follow-up and will update as we can.”

Officer Robert Rueca of the SFPD further stated to NextShark:

“On Sunday, February 23, 2020 officers responded to the Sutter Street Tunnel at Stockton Street and Sacramento Street regarding a robbery that occurred at approximately 9:10 AM.

The victim was outside the tunnel when a suspect exited a vehicle, approached the victim and grabbed the victim’s purse. The victim and suspect struggled over the purse, which caused the victim to fall and get dragged by the suspect. As the suspect dragged the victim in the direction of the vehicle he came from a second suspect exited the same vehicle who also struggled to get the victim’s purse. Eventually the suspects were able to steal the victim’s property and got back into their vehicle and fled the scene.

The robbery caused the victim to suffer injuries which were non-life threatening. This incident is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident or can identify the suspects are asked to contact the police. You can contact the SFPD anonymous tip line at 1-415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 with SFPD at the beginning of the message.”

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