SFPD Arrests Strong-Arm Robbery Suspects 23-111
Officers seized two firearms and stolen property belonging to victims
On August 26, 2023, at approximately 2:32 p.m., San Francisco police officers were dispatched to the area of Van Ness Ave and Sutter Street on a report of an attempted robbery of a handbag. The 911 caller also stated that there may have been a firearm involved. The victim told officers that she was walking on the sidewalk when she felt an unknown suspect grab her purse. A struggle for the handbag occurred, causing the victim to fall to the ground. A bystander came to the assistance of the victim, and as a result, the suspect let go of the purse and fled from the scene in their vehicle.
An investigator from the SFPD Robbery Unit sent a department-wide email with a photo of the vehicle.
At approximately 4:15 p.m., an officer observed the vehicle in the area of Hyde and Chestnut Streets and notified officers patrolling in the area.
Officers working in plainclothes and assigned to another undercover operation, located the suspect vehicle and maintained surveillance of that vehicle, while a plan could be formulated with marked patrol units and supervisors, in order to stop the vehicle as safely as possible within Department policy. During this observation of the suspect vehicle, plainclothes units witnessed several attempted robberies, along with a robbery. When officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, the occupants failed to yield, and a pursuit was initiated. The pursuit was terminated in the area of Embarcadero and Bryant when both suspects, identified as 18-year-old Francisco Zamora of Oakland and 18-year-old Darren Nguyen of Alameda, exited their vehicle and a foot pursuit ensued. Officers were able to quickly detain both suspects. Officers at the scene located and seized loaded firearms from Zamora and Nguyen.
Officers developed probable cause to arrest Zamora and Nguyen and placed them into custody.
Zamora was booked into San Francisco County Jail #1 on the charges of robbery (211 PC in the 2nddegree), four counts of conspiracy (182(a)(1) PC), receiving stolen property (496(a) PC), carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle (25400(a)(1) PC), carrying a concealed firearm (25400(a)(2) PC, carrying a loaded firearm (25850(a) PC), armed with a firearm during the commission of a felony (12022(a)(1) PC), three counts of attempted robbery (664/211 in the 2nd degree), resisting, delaying or obstructing a police officer (148(a)(1) PC), and proof of registration (4462(b) CVC.
Nguyen was booked into San Francisco County Jail #1 on the charges of robbery (211 PC in the 2nddegree), four counts of conspiracy (182(a)(1) PC), receiving stolen property (496(a) PC), reckless evading of a peace officer (2800.2(a) CVC), carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle (25400(a)(1) PC), carrying a loaded firearm (25850(a) PC), three counts of attempted robbery (664/211 in the 2nddegree), resisting, delaying or obstructing a police officer (148(a)(1) PC), proof of registration (4462(b) CVC, carrying a concealed firearm (25400(a)(2) PC), and armed with a firearm during the commission of a felony (12022(a)(1) PC).
While arrests have been made, this remains an open and active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the SFPD Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. You may remain anonymous.
Photos of the seized firearms accompany this news release.
SFPD Case# 230-609-531, 230-609-183