SAN FRANCISCO—After allegedly carjacking a taxi driver at gunpoint on Sunday, April 19, an unidentified suspect drove the stolen vehicle to Emerville before his arrest in a confrontation with authorities.
The 35-year-old suspect allegedly was riding in the back of a taxi near the intersection of First and Harrison Streets at approximately 12:10 a.m., before he struck the driver, produced a firearm, and told the driver he would shoot him if he didn’t surrender the vehicle.
California Highway Patrol officers spotted the suspect speeding just 10 minutes after he crossed the Bay Bridge near the Powell Street exit of Emeryville’s Highway 80. After he took the Powell Street exit, the driver of the stolen taxi got stuck on the curb making what appeared to be an evasive U-turn.
Authorities did not know the vehicle was stolen until shortly after the arrest in which the suspect reportedly struggled violently with officers and even spat in one of their faces. Following his arrest, he was placed in the custody of San Francisco authorities. The identity of the suspect has not been disclosed to the public.
Anyone with information concerning the carjacking is asked to contact the SFPD anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 with SFPD at the beginning of the message.
