SF's Westfield Centre to see increased patrols after string of incidents
SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) - A robbery inside the Westfield San Francisco Centre shopping mall is prompting management to increase the number of patrols by San Francisco police and private security guards.
The robbery Monday night is the second in just over two weeks. It follows an attack on a man who was inside a mall bathroom earlier in August.
Police say the four suspects in Monday's robbery got away. All four were described as boys between 12 and 15 years old. Police say they targeted a couple at a table inside the mall.
The fourth floor of the Westfield San Francisco Centre shopping mall is a popular place for people to open up laptops or just sit and take a break.
"I'm here all the time, don't really worry about either being here or walking home," said Tom Durkin of San Francisco, who says he lives nearby and has never felt unsafe in the neighborhood.
The robbery Monday happened about 8:22 p.m., and the victims were a young man and a young woman in their 20s who were sitting at a table.
"An unknown group of four juveniles came up to them and decided to steal their laptops, cell phone and other items that they had," said Officer Grace Gatpandan, a San Francisco Police spokeswoman.
The four suspects ran off toward Bloomingdale's. The victims chased after them. One the boys hit the male victim in the head.
"They are all juveniles in age. All I have is black males at this time. It's a very vague description," said Officer Gatpandan.
That vague description made it difficult to track down the suspects. All four boys ran away, but police say they are reviewing security camera footage now.
In the meantime, the Westfield Centre is taking precautions.
"Westfield has increased their request for more officers inside the location so you will be seeing more officers there," said Officer Gatpandan.
Merchants off camera say the privately-owned shopping center is a crime-fighting challenge.
It has BART police and private security guards, as well as many stores that hire off-duty San Francisco police officers through the city's 10-B program.
Patrolling the area is a high priority police say, but it lies at the intersection of three policing districts: the Tenderloin, Southern and Central districts.
'I've seen like three security guards come around and walk around like they were patrolling so I don't know, maybe because of what happened yesterday, they've got more people on duty," said Kristina Saavedra of San Leandro.
The Westfield Centre management refused to speak on camera. Instead issuing a statement:
"The safety of our guests is always a priority. The recent incident involving several youths is not acceptable. We are working closely with the SFPD to identify and pursue the offenders to the fullest extent of the law" the statement read, adding that the mall officials are cooperating with San Francisco police.
Some patrons say the robbery won't keep them from coming to this spot. Many say there are ways they try to protect their property.
"All my devices are password protected and I also have an app so I can track my cell phone if its gone missing," said Jason Rissman of Berkeley.
Police also say witnesses can help by giving more detailed descriptions of a suspect that go beyond the suspect's race.
Police say witnesses should try to notice details such as a suspect's hairstyle, any piercings, tattoos, distinctive marks on hats or clothing, and especially a suspect's shoes, which they usually do not discard, as hats and coats might be discarded after a crime.
The new patrols at the Westfield San Francisco Centre are expected to start this weekend.