SFPD Arrests Armed Robbery Series Suspect 21-009
On December 23, 2020 at approximately 4:17 PM San Francisco Police officers from Ingleside Station responded unit block of Burr Ave. regarding an armed robbery. Officers arrived on scene and met with the victim who was robbed by an unknown male suspect. The suspect pointed a gun at the victim, stole the victim’s money and cell phone, and fled the scene in a black Kia SUV. Officers searched the area for the suspect but were unable to locate him.
On December 23, 2020 at approximately 4:20 PM officers from Ingleside Station responded to the unit block of McCarthy Ave. regarding an armed robbery. Officers arrived on scene and met with two victims who were robbed by an unknown male suspect and pointed a gun at both victims. The suspect used the gun to strike one victim on the face before he stole the victim’s wallet. The suspect fled the scene in a black Kia SUV and was unable to be located by responding officers.
On December 23, 2020 at approximately 4:30 PM officers from Ingleside Station responded to the 200 block of Peabody St. regarding an armed robbery. Officers met with the victim who was robbed at gunpoint by an unknown male suspect. The suspect stole the victim’s purse, fled the scene in a black Kia SUV and was unable to be located by responding officers who searched the area.
Based on the similarities of the suspect description who committed similar acts, and the proximity of the incidents both in time and in distance SFPD investigators determined the same individual committed the series of armed robberies. Members of the SFPD Gang Task Force identified the subject as Melthon Branch, 29-year-old male resident of Sacramento, CA. Branch is on federal probation for a firearms related offense and state parole for burglary. SFPD Robbery Detail investigators attained a Ramey arrest warrant and a search warrant for Branch.
On Thursday, January 7, 2021, members of the SFPD Robbery Detail, Narcotics Detail, and Night Investigations Unit conducted an operation to arrest Branch for the Ramey arrest warrant and service of a search warrant on his residence located on the 10,000 block of Lincoln Village Dr. Rancho Cordova, CA and his vehicle (black KIA SUV). While conducting surveillance at the residence, officers observed Branch with a firearm. While under police surveillance Branch and a female drove from Rancho Cordova to San Francisco. The vehicle stopped at Cesar Chavez St. at Indiana St. and Branch exited the vehicle. While Branch was out of the vehicle members of the surveillance team placed Branch under arrest without incident and recovered a firearm with an extended magazine from the vehicle where Branch was sitting.
SFPD Robbery investigators, with the assistance of the Rancho Cordova Police Department, served a search warrant at Branch's residence, located and seized evidence that tied him to the previously mentioned robberies in San Francisco.
Branch was booked into the San Francisco County Jail on the Ramey arrest warrant for the violations of three counts of robbery (211 PC), assault with a deadly weapon (245(a)(1) PC), No Bail Parole warrant, and the following firearm related felony charges: convicted felon in possession of a firearm (29800(a)(1) PC), carrying a concealed firearm (25400(a)(1) PC), carrying a loaded firearm (25850(a) PC), and possession of a large capacity firearm magazine (32310 PC).
A photograph of the firearm Branch was in possession of at the time of his arrest is attached to this news release.
While an arrest has been made these incidents remain open investigations. Anyone with information about this incident 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.