SFPD Patrol Officers Recognize Stabbing Suspect from Crime Alert Bulletin, Team Up with Investigators to Make Arrest 21-111
On June 2, 2021, at approximately 10:03 a.m., SFPD officers from Northern Station responded to a store on the 1500 block of Franklin Street regarding a stabbing. Officers located the victim (shop keeper) a 72-year-old male San Francisco resident who was suffering from apparent stab wounds to his face and upper body. The victim told officers that he got into an altercation with the suspect who then stabbed him before fleeing his store. The victim was transported to ZSFGH for life-threatening injuries and has since been discharged. SFPD officers conducted an investigation which included surveillance video. A crime alert bulletin including images of the suspect obtained from surveillance video was circulated to law enforcement.
On June 7, 2021, at approximately 9:45 a.m., SFPD officers from Central Police Station responded to 3rd and Stevenson Streets regarding a physical altercation. Officers determined that the suspect, Donovan Cole Catron, 30, no known address, attempted to rob the victim, a 56-year-old male, San Francisco resident of his duffel bag. Officers arrested Catron for attempted robbery (664/211 PC) and possession of narcotics paraphernalia (11364 HS).
One of the officers on scene recalled seeing the crime alert for the June 2nd stabbing incident and recognized Catron from the photos on that bulletin.
The officer contacted the investigator from the Northern Station SIT team who developed probable cause to arrest Catron for the June 2nd stabbing incident. In addition to the charges listed for the June 7th incident, Catron was also booked at the SF County Jail for assault with a deadly weapon, other than a firearm (245(a)(1) PC), aggravated mayhem (205 PC), battery resulting in serious bodily injury (243(d) PC) and elder abuse (368(b)(1) PC).
The efforts of the officers in these cases are a snapshot of the work done every day by San Francisco Police members. SFPD officers are active in the communities they serve, continuously building relationships with people who live, work, and visit their areas of responsibility. By documenting and investigating crimes, identifying suspects, and working closely with investigators, officers are able to collaborate across the city to further develop leads and make arrests.