San Francisco Police Arrest Suspect in Armed Robbery, Catalytic Converter Theft Investigation 21-027
On November 30, 2020, at approximately 9:59 AM, San Francisco Police officers from Richmond Station responded to the area of Mayfair Drive and Manzanita Avenue regarding an armed robbery. The victim, a 41-year-old San Francisco resident told officers that while returning to his parked Honda Element, he encountered three suspects who were in the process of stealing the catalytic converter from his vehicle.
The victim attempted to intervene and dropped his cell phone. One of the suspects picked up the victim’s cell phone and refused to return it to him. One of the suspects produced a handgun and pointed it at the victim. All three suspects fled the scene in a white SUV.
The SFPD Burglary Detail began an investigation which led to the identity of a suspect. Investigators obtained an arrest warrant for the charges of robbery (211 PC), attempted grand theft (664/487(a) PC), and vandalism (594(b)(2) PC).
On January 27, 2021, SFPD burglary investigators, assisted by the SFPD Tactical Unit and agents from the California Department of Parole and Rehabilitation – Alameda County Office, served a search warrant on the 9900 block of McArthur Boulevard in Oakland, CA. The search warrant led to the seizure of a firearm, ammunition, narcotics, burglary tools, and other evidence. The suspect, 29-year-old Bernardo Tamayo was also taken into custody. Tamayo is on county probation for a prior firearms offense and on state parole for a prior robbery conviction.
Tamayo was later booked into the San Francisco County Jail on the arrest warrant stemming from the November 30th incident. He was also arrested and booked for offenses relating to being a felon in possession of a firearm (29900(a)(1) PC) and parole violation.
While an arrest has been made, this remains an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the SFPD Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. You may remain anonymous.
A photo of the seized firearm, catalytic converter, and other evidence accompanies this news release.