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SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - San Francisco police have warned residents of burglars posing as utility workers for years. They pretend they’re power employees, plumbers or from the water department. Once they’re let in the house, they pilfer pendants, dinner rings and any other valuables at hand while the homeowner is distracted.
But this ruse may have a happy ending in San Francisco where Taraval Station officers say they have the suspects responsible.
According to police, three suspects posing as PG&E employees burglarized a residence in Albany. A witness saw the vehicle and notified the Albany Police Department. The description of the vehicle and suspects was broadcast throughout the Bay Area, and officers from Taraval Station noticed the vehicle in the Sunset district.
Police later pulled the van over and arrested three men, one from Arizona, another from Oakland and the other with a 23rd Avenue address. After the Albany witness identified the men and evidence was found in their vehicle, the suspects were turned over to Albany authorities on suspicion of burglary and related charges.
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3:47 PM MST on Fri., Jul. 25, 2008 re: "San Francisco rocked by spate of robberies"
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9:27 PM MST on Fri., Apr. 4, 2008
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Transgendered Protests Pointless said:
"Passive crimes, such as panhandling, are turning more aggressive as the wait for the extra dollar becomes longer and more difficult, Dudley said." There's absolutely nothing passive about panhandling in this city. I completely ignore those who ask me for money. If they persist, as some filthy creature reeking of booze did this morning, I'm fully prepared to physically defend myself. If that leads to the beggar suffering a broken nose, leg or arm, so be it. San Franciscans are fed up with the armies camped out on our streets, demanding that we support their drug and alcohol habits. It's disgusting that we cannot walk a block without being assailed by some parasite demanding a donation.
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
The City is lying to you through The Examiner if you think for one minute that there is a policy in place that allows SF Police Officers to contact ICE when in contact with an Illegal. Take this from an SF Police Officer - we have a specific directive (General Order/Department Bulletin) that EXPRESSLY PROHIBITS us from contacting the Feds when we are in contact with an illegal - despite the crime they commit. Feel free to look this up on your own; it's subject to a public information search. And I can tell you that this policy is in place, despite officers' best efforts to rid this city of the illegals committing crimes.
4 agree | 1 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I Use to work with Hyman he was crazy then did know he was security guard and just had got fired
4 agree | 4 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Prostitution benefits no one, not the prostitutes, their clients or the neighborhoods they work in. Prostitution is only legal in a couple of areas in Nevada and the brothels are far away from residential locations. Ask the residents of Portland about the impact on their lives when prostitution was ignored. This measure doesn’t benefit the residents of San Francisco and should be rejected.
11 agree | 10 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
How is it Nevada has lived with legalized prostitution all these years and not fallen into ruinous state of decay? Legalize it, monitor it, tax it and let people do what they do.
10 agree | 11 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Gavin Newsome is 100% responsible he could have stopped this a long time ago.An arrogant little man he thinks he can make it right by attending part of the funeral.Little twit.
20 agree | 9 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
i'm still so sad of this i knew them. very close. it hurts to know that he might get off! they need to give him the death penelty! if they send him back to El Salvador he's just going to come back and kill again.
9 agree | 7 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I hope justice is properly served.
10 agree | 8 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Newsom is responsible for these murders - if he did his job this barbarian would have been deported long ago!
13 agree | 8 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
My God how can this happen? The woman's life is over...the poor family that is left...my God watch over them and give them peace...
9 agree | 8 disagree
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name said:
best of the best it is,
8 agree | 9 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
You should get your facts right before you right an article about someone. For your information Rodney the Hells Angel in your article was let go and no charges were filed. Why don't you print that to everyone. I think you should do a lot more research before you write your articles. From Kelly a very upset RED&WHITE SUPPORTER
14 agree | 10 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Dear Govenor of CA, and all police departments - It is time that the Hells Angels and everyother gang biker group is disbanded once and for all. Three strikes is one too many.
10 agree | 14 disagree
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MrHyphy said:
Why is this news...? Everyone should be glad he took off with a lunchbox, hell, ill give him mines so that he dont shoot me stupid eh.. DEE DEE DEE!
11 agree | 11 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Just for the record what this country needs is a real leader who can and will bring us out of the past and into the present when will U.S. get one who will do this because we have noone who is in a position that has a backbone.Our forefathers rolling in thier graves oevr the state this country has become.
16 agree | 10 disagree
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wrongwat said:
This is another example of Overreacting by law enforcement. What started as a regular, everyday, run of the mill fight has become a federal case. Probably the two guys that got beat up were out of line and were shooting off their mouth. Hence an attitude adjustment. Why don't the PD react as quickly when an assault is taking place committed by illegals in the Safeway mall? This is a waste of taxpayer money.
18 agree | 11 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
People just don't think anymore, it only takes seconds to take a life. So 4 people died that day.
13 agree | 10 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I didn't know you Tony and your sons but I knew his sister Lorraine and husband Frank. This was such a senseless tragedy. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Janet Karp Darmody and family. Phx Az.
15 agree | 16 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
"99 percent of offenses are preventable" Hmm... that number sounds a little high. My sister's car was broken into this past weekend. Absolutley nothing of value was in the cab of her car. Her valuables were stowed away in her trunk. Visually there was nothing to provoke the theives to break into her car, but that did not stop them.
23 agree | 22 disagree
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MMZ said:
Rudy, the HA's do these toys for tots and blood drives for good publicity. The fact is, they are nothing more than a money-making gang and as long as people like you see them as just some good old boys, they can continue their drug dealing, etc. They need sympathetic public (like you) when it's time to go to court.
22 agree | 30 disagree
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Cuz Nobody Reads this anyway said:
So essentially the defense argument is that the accused, Mr. Guiterrez, killed a snitch or in criminal justice parlance an "informant", which as we all oughta know by now is what happens to snitches. MMM? Interesting, or is it now just yhree syllables, hold it let me take a look, yes in-tres-ting. So maybe the defense has stumbled upon a theory as to why so many people ae getting shot in the various bay area urban enclaves its that they have snitched or informed, and some how other people are expected to come forward and be willing to point out to the authorities who the killers are or might be. Seems maybe a little bit risky. Am I the first Examiner reader to point out that after the big take down of members of the Acorn gang in Oakland that six, yes six people were shot to death that following weekend and that some people, including the Oakland Administrator's nephew, got out of jail on bail and reportedly went back to "work"?
21 agree | 23 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
this is what are community comes to, we defend horrible gang members, no thank you. Send that poor man home to his wife and daughters, he did a good cause there is no reason for him being punished.
27 agree | 25 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Jaime Gutierrez is a well known community leader and has always helped anybody in need. This is an unfortunate event but if he says its in self defense it must be, jaime wouldn't hurt a fly.
23 agree | 21 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Maybe we ought to investigate this Louie Chen of TLC Glass...he has most to gain.
16 agree | 15 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Robbing banks is very unacceptable. It does not help one to steal money from another person in a form of a bank account one keeps in the bank. An urgent solution must be found as soon as possible or circumstances of the result of repeated bank robberies that will not only harm banks, but the customers of that bank when their monies are being stolen intentionally.
13 agree | 9 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
We won't see any change cuz the change we need to see is money going into community programs, jobs and education. Then we will see a reduction in crime. In NYC there are single blocks that "corrections" spends over 1 million dollars a year on. The money is spent on locking people from that single block up. (upwards of 80% of the folks are locked up on non-violent offences too!) Imagine if you split a million annually on inforstructure improvment jobs & education... It's proven again and again...crime drops.
19 agree | 16 disagree
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Beretta Team said:
The important thing is that nobody was hurt. The incident shook us all up and as a result we've installed additional measures of security. It's a shame that we were one of the recent restaurants to be targeted in this recent string of robberies. We're working with SFPD to review the camera footage and hopefully we'll be able to identify the criminal. It's important to understand that this kind of thing can happen to any restaurant, bank, bookstore or any merchant that exchanges money. Beretta is dedicated to being a neighborhood restaurant where everyone can enjoy great food and delicious drinks in a safe and comfortable environment and we won't sit by and let the criminal acts of one individual compromise our pledge to the neighborhood. Finally and most importantly, we'd like to thank our customers for the way they handled the incident. Everyone remained very calm and collective- nobody tried to act as the "hero," and as a result nobody was hurt. Thank you for your supp
37 agree | 40 disagree
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Carl said:
anybody read the article in the sf examiner the other day about sfpd having poor community relations? Hopefully the lack of calls to 911 regarding gun shots will be a wake up call to sfpd. maybe not.
41 agree | 41 disagree
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billy said:
well no kidding...we who actually live in SF have known this for a long time and the mayor, the PD chief, and the DA are totally incompetent and ignoring any possible solutions. Newson is increasing his staff and cutting police academy classes. He opposed foot patrols..he's never in town!! This guy is cut from the same cloth as Bush and he's just as incompetent at adressing these serious problems. Expect NO change while these folks run things.
48 agree | 42 disagree
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L. Amiot said:
These ShotSpotters are gimics. Chicago has used them to a disappointing end for years now. The technology is expensive and does not get to the root of the problem. People, police officers, on the ground, walking and talking to people in the neighbirhood, building trust and building relationships will be much more successful. Neighbors know who the shooters are. Getting neighborhood people to trust the system and take ownership of the neighborhood problems takes skilled police officers who care, and others who care to make a difference. Not cameras mounted on poles. Leadership, Mr. Newsom. Learn it, Get it, Use it.
49 agree | 43 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
All bank robberies are Federal crimes. All bank robbers belong in Federal, not State prisons.
44 agree | 43 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Like Pacifica police have anything else better to do? Plus, this artical makes it sound like anyone who rides a Harley is part of the H.A????? I ride...but I'm not part of the H.A......
41 agree | 42 disagree
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Tatiana said:
To the Writer of this Article: You should really get your story and facts correct before writing FALSE Accusations!!!!
43 agree | 35 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
To all of you idiots who actually believe the crap that you read in this newspaper...maybe someone should actually do their homework. They would find out that this article is completely altered to sell more papers.
27 agree | 26 disagree
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Rudy said:
Anybody who has actually been around the Hells Angels knows that they are family oriented, good people. I was recently at a blood drive - yes, that's right, for charity - that the Hell's Angels sponsored. Doesn't sound like murderers and rapists to me. You people believe too much of what you read.
32 agree | 35 disagree
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Sant Cruz Supporter said:
Of all the guys I know in that club, I've never known one to bring harm to women or children. Or for that matter, be anything less than a gentlemen. Even if they are rowdy ones. The guilt is on the offender. Not the patch.
26 agree | 27 disagree
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hells angels said:
This is the 6th hells angels member I have read about in the papers over the last year for crimes against women and children. the hells angels are a lowlife gang of trash that hand pick each member after a long period of getting to know each person before they are memmbers. I guess the hells angels are looking for men that rape molest and murder women and children
25 agree | 26 disagree
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Examiner Reader Timi Myers said:
This article is ridiculous.What do the Hells Angels have to do with this guys personal issues with woman?Think about it.Just because I have issues with men it doesn't make my family a bunch of man haters.
19 agree | 24 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Maybe, the Pacifica police need to keep a better eye on that kingpin that they have living over there in Pacifica. Maybe, they just might catch him before he keeps sending gang idiots out to other cities to kill and rob.
23 agree | 20 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Seems that over 6,000 reported crimes in one city is extremely high. Maybe, the police should start placing plain clothes officers all around the city on a continuous basis. Thus, changing from a mode of reactive to proactive.
19 agree | 20 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Well now, this must explain why so little crime in the city of Pacifica. Maybe, this officer should not be sent to jail at all. Seems strange that gang bangers get off with a warning, but this policeman has to go to jail, hmmmm.
21 agree | 20 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Hmm what can I say? If we want a safe community to live in then we all have to pull through and help each other as a community. Relying on the city government and the CITY police will not get us anywhere. I think Neighborhood watch programs are good and maybe we should also install surveillance cameras and lit up dark areas of our community? If that doesn't work maybe become our own "delta force"commandos and do the job ourselves!!!! I am just so sick of the violent crimes in SAn Francisco, no wonder so many people are leaving this place what a tragedy!!!
19 agree | 19 disagree
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L. Amiot said:
As always, a lack of leadership and accountability in the top eschelons. Nothing has improved in the past 4 years. On the contrary. If EVERYONE wants safe streets, why aren't they safe? We get what we vote for.
24 agree | 21 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Folks, the person who calls itself "Examiner needs new editor" is just a flunkie cop wannabe called a "patrol special". No police powers, no powers of arrest, no nothing. They are a disaffected bunch who hate cops that take issue with their shenanigans, claiming it's all about them being a perceived threat to cop's overtime. Crybabies the lot of them.
21 agree | 21 disagree
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Jail them all said:
60 people that need to be in jail? The entire Board of Sups The Mayor and his Staff SFPD Command Staff That would be a great start, then go after the gang members.
23 agree | 19 disagree
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Examiner needs new editor said:
Hey 'A SF Cops Perspective' quit crying. You make a ton of money to sit on your but and do nothing. But you have such an excellent leader in Chief Heather Fong. Remember 99 murders last year was a good thing right SFPD (something to be proud of). I bet you don't even work the streets but are in the Hall stuck in records or some other worthless task that should be privatized putting more cops on the streets. No wonder families are leaving San Francisco like rats from a sinking ship. You probobly make over $150,000.00 between your OT and 10B and then have the nerve to complain about anything. I bet you don't even live in the City, most of you lazy SFPD don't which is why you really don't care and abate everything rather than doing your jobs (remember the Choir debacle). START DOING YOUR JOB NOW LIKE YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN DOING FROM THE START!
23 agree | 23 disagree
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Seven said:
sicko, Sophie Maxwell has already said she is concerned about profiling. I imagine if people actually start getting arrested, she'll scream more loudly.
21 agree | 21 disagree
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sickofrisco said:
The concept of actually focusing efforts on crime-ridden areas as well as targeting those most likely to commit crimes must seem like a novel concept to San Franciscand. How long until the usual liberal groups start screaming that this is "profiling" and shut the whole thing down?
21 agree | 21 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Remarkably, none of the commentariat has addressed the notion of the Police Department creating a list of persons "who should be in jail". If these persons have arrest warrants, by all means. However, it seems that the P.D. is creating a list of those who they deem dangerous. Is such a list subject to Sunshine Ordinance disclosure request? Where is the defense Bar demanding to see this list? What's the criteria for being on this list? Does inclusion on this list make one subject to the possibility that a zealous officer, eager to please the P.D. hierarchy will stretch the bounds of law or fact to produce the arrest and the desired result of landing the named person in jail? What ever happened to responsible, that is not beholden to those SFPD members who feed you information and therefore are not taken to task for questionable policy statements, journalism? I'm an active member of SFPD and you should be ashamed.
24 agree | 22 disagree
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A SF Cops Perspective said:
All you have to do is read Maxwell's statement about racial profiling and you will know that this strategy will not work! We are constantly being called racists, thugs, etc. The majority of crime is in and committed by blacks. Not a racists statement, just a statistical fact. We can't control socialial/economic problems in society, only criminal problems. BUT, as soon as we focus on the criminals (which WILL be primarily young black men) the so called "community leaders" like Maxwell and the alphabet groups like the ACLU, OCC and the NAACP will cry foul and demand action be taken against the cops who were told "reduce crime". So, most cops will just drive around, avoid enforcing laws when the suspects are young black men, and more importantly avoid the inevitable complaints of racial profiling/brutality, which even if false (80% of complaints against cops are false/not proven) can prevent promotions and assignments to specialized units. Until real change comes, nothing changes
28 agree | 21 disagree
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