San Francisco Police Arrest Suspect for Package Thefts 18-157
On Monday, October 22nd, 2018 at approximately 2:15 PM, a resident on the unit block of Natick Street in the Glen Park neighborhood reported to police that packages shipped to her home were stolen from the front door of her house. Video from the victim’s home surveillance camera showed the suspect push open a metal exterior gate leading to an enclosed area, take the packages and then flee the scene. (Images from this surveillance video are attached to this news release.)
The victim logged onto a social media platform and discovered that a neighbor three blocks away on the 2600 block of Diamond Street had posted a photo of a suspect who stole a package from his porch minutes after the Natick Street theft. The Natick Street victim saw that the Diamond Street suspect matched the description of the suspect who stole her packages. In both thefts, the suspect wore a black T-shirt with distinct yellow cursive writing.
The Natick Street victim emailed her neighborhood group, requesting any video depicting the theft at her home. A neighbor on Chenery Street provided surveillance video, which captured images of the suspect and a vehicle.
Based on surveillance video provided by the victims and the neighborhood witness, Ingleside Station police officers were able to identify the suspect. On Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at approximately 12:33 PM in area of 2500 Aurelius Walker Drive, officers arrested 32 year-old San Francisco resident Antoinette Redus and recovered the stolen property.
Ingleside Station officers worked with the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office neighborhood prosecutor in charging the case. On November 29, 2018 Redus pleaded guilty and was convicted of second degree burglary. Redus’ booking photo accompanies this news release.
The officers’ hard work and focus on a swift response to these crimes led to the arrest of the suspect in less than 24 hours. The successful conviction was enabled by the collaboration between police, prosecutors and the community, along with the victims’ use of social media to communicate, and empower themselves.
Although an arrest has been made, investigators are asking anyone with information on additional cases to contact the San Francisco Police anonymously at 415-575-4444 or text-a-tip to TIP411 with SFPD at the start of the message.