Crime is on the rise in Daly City as the Police Department reports a surge in robberies and vehicle-related crimes over the past week. Residents are on high alert after three violent robberies left victims with losses of cash and valuables, as reported in a Crime Alert Bulletin covering the events from March 11-17.
One of the attacks unfolded on March 14, when a couple withdrawing cash from a Bank of America ATM on Gellert Boulevard was accosted by a suspect demanding money. The suspect, described as a Hispanic male, struck the victim in the ear after the $1,000 was handed over, fleeing the scene posthaste. The victim recalled the assailant speaking Spanish, "Give me the money, give me the money, give me the money," as his fear emanated palpably through the cold night air.
Another incident occurred outside the Sun Valley Dairy Market on Schwerin Street, where a man was approached and then punched by a heavyset White male after denying he had money, only to have his wallet stolen. The crime bulletin details the getaway vehicle as a white Ford Transit U-Haul van, hinting at a calculated escape by the assailants.
Adding to the week's violent streak, a man walking along Brunswick Street faced a brutal confrontation. The victim, when asked about his traumatic experience, described a grim scenario where two suspects, armed with a knife and a large stick, robbed him of his belongings, including an iPhone worth $300 and $70 in cash. The perpetrators, reported as Black males around 30 years old, left with more than just physical possessions; they took away a sense of security from the community.
The Daly City PD also chronicled vehicular crimes, with seven stolen cars and two attempted thefts. Although five of these vehicles were later recovered, the week's crime wave signals a persistent challenge for law enforcement. The department mentioned that a Ford Transit F250 was damaged during a failed theft, with miscreants leaving their doors battered in their wake.
Apart from robberies and vehicle-related crimes, the city's police department dealt with a spectrum of incidents, including domestic disturbances and public intoxication. Malicious mischief and vandalism also made the list, along with narcotics-related offenses, a testament to the diverse challenges that persistently test the fabric of Daly City's law and order.
