Man who lost job due to coronavirus starts driving for Uber Eats, car gets stolen
SAN FRANCISCO - A San Francisco man who relies on his car to make a living is asking for help getting his stolen Nissan SUV back.
He recently started delivering food working for Uber Eats after he was laid off from his job at a restaurant that closed when the shelter in place order went into effect.
Yusuf Soylemez is sharing his story in hopes that it will generate leads to help police catch the thief.
It happened Friday at 2 p.m.
Surveillance video shows a man wearing a backpack getting into Soylemez's SUV parked on Mission at 14th Street and driving off.
"I feel so sad because I never think this would happen to me because I just started to work with Uber ten days ago," said Soylemez.
He said he made the mistake of leaving his keys in the ignition because it was a quick drop-off. The customer was meeting him outside the building. He said the theft took place in a matter of seconds.
"When I turn my back, I see my car run away. I ran after him because there was a red light, but he don't even stop," said Soylemez.
The thief wore a black face mask, orange shirt and a black baseball cap.
Soylemez said he's heartbroken, "I was working at a restaurant before that happened. We all got laid off because of the coronavirus."
He had worked for Alioto's Restaurant at Fisherman's Wharf as a server before the shelter in place order.
"My rent, my insurance. I have to work," said Soylemez.
Police said car thefts are up 11% in San Francisco the first three months of this year compared to the same period last year.
"It should remind everyone you can't leave your vehicle or your valuables in vehicles even for a moment," said Officer Robert Rueca, spokesman for the San Francisco Police Department.
Soylemez said he's applied for unemployment but has not received any money yet
His SUV was financed. He said he still owes $11,000 on it.
He said he's filed a claim with insurance but there's a $2,000 deductible.
"I have a little bit of savings. Maybe it'll be enough for a week or ten days. After that, I don't know what happens," said Soylemez.
His stolen SUV was a 2017 Silver Nissan Rogue with California license plate 8GZW664.
He hopes the thief will have a change of heart and leave the suv somewhere where it will be found.
"That car was everything for me. I was working with the car, doing Uber. I wish he can do something good," said Soylemez.
He said the FasTrak transponder that was stolen along with his suv shows activity during the past few days. Someone is using it to cross the Golden Gate Bridge.
He hopes that information will help police recover his vehicle.
To contact Soylemez: YusufSoylemez@gmail.com