San Francisco Police Make Arrest in Aggravated Assault on an Officer 19-130

On Thursday, October 22, 2019, at approximately 10:51 PM, San Francisco Police officers from Mission Station were patrolling the area of 22nd and Bartlett Streets. Officers observed a male subject light a firework in the middle of 22nd Street. The officers exited their vehicle and detained the subject. Two large crowds that were congregated in front of two businesses on the 3200 block of 22nd Street began throwing glass bottles at the officers. One subject threw an incendiary device, which exploded less than a foot away from one of the officers. The officer was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The SFPD Special Investigations Division obtained surveillance of the incident. Investigators disseminated a crime bulletin with a photo of the suspect. On Friday, November 8, 2019, an off-duty San Francisco Police officer observed the suspect on the 1600 block of Post Street. Officers from SFPD’s Northern Station arrived on scene and took the suspect into custody without incident.

The suspect was identified as 30-year-old Nilman-Vincent Vanewyk of San Francisco. Vanewyk was booked at San Francisco County Jail on the following charges: assault with a deadly weapon upon a peace officer; possess/explode/ignite destructive device with intent to injure, intimidate, or terrify any person; willfully explode/ignite destructive device; unlawful possession of an explosive; and throwing discharging igniting dangerous fireworks.

A booking photo of Vanewyk accompanies this news release.

While an arrest has been made, this remains an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the SFPD 24 hour tip line at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. You may remain anonymous.