San Francisco Police Identify and Arrest Suspect in Unprovoked Tenderloin Assault 21-090

On April 29, 2021, at approximately 1:00 PM, San Francisco Police officers from Tenderloin Station responded to the 400 block of O’Farrell Street regarding an aggravated assault. Upon arrival, officers contacted the victim, a 61-year-old male, Pleasanton resident who had been struck in the head while walking. He told officers that after being struck, he lost his balance and fell to the ground. The victim, who had visible injuries to his face and head and complained of pain in his rib cage area, refused offers of medical assistance.

Officers canvassed the area for the suspect, witnesses, and surveillance video. They located video that showed the suspect sprint toward the victim and punch him in the head. After the assault, the suspect fled the scene, walking eastbound on O’Farrell Street.

Investigators from the Tenderloin Station Investigation Team (SIT) circulated a crime alert bulletin that contained images of the suspect. Officers from Southern Police Station recognized the suspect in the crime alert from a prior arrest.

In that April 30, 2021 case, the officers responded to an assault outside of a Mission Bay grocery store and arrested the suspect, 26-year-old Sidney Hammond for the unprovoked attack of a man who was pushing his 1-year-old child in a baby stroller. At the time, Hammond was out of custody from a March 28, 2021 incident at the same grocery store in which he reportedly threatened and assaulted a store employee during the commission of a theft. This type of incident is known as an Estes Robbery.

The officers notified the Tenderloin SIT investigator who developed probable cause to arrest Hammond for the Tenderloin assault. On May 6, 2021, SFPD officers arrested Hammond (who was still in custody at the San Francisco County Jail) for the April 29th assault. He was booked on the charge of aggravated assault with force (245(a)4) PC)

While an arrest has been made, this remains an open 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..