SAN FRANCISCO—The San Francisco Police Department arrested a suspect on August 18 in connection to a series of burglaries that have occurred throughout the San Francisco region. The SFPD indicated in a news release that on June 14, at approximately 6:45 p.m. officers assigned to Bayview Station responded to the 2300 block of 3rd Street on a report of a burglary. Officers met with the victim whole informed them an unknown suspect broke into the business, while it was closed, and stole a safe. The suspect later returned with two additional suspects and stole other items, including a cash register.
On July 31, at approximately 7:04 am, officers assigned to Park Station responded to the 1400 block of Haight Street on a report of a burglary. Officer met with the victim who told officers that an unknown suspect broke into the business, while it was closed, and stole a cash register and lottery tickets.
On August 4, at approximately 2:15 am, officers with the Central Station were flagged down on the 600 block of grant regarding a possible burglary in progress. When officers arrived on scene, the unknown suspect was gone. Officers spoke with the owner of the business and determined that the suspect had broken into the business, while it was closed, and stolen a cash register.
Investigators from the San Francisco Police Department Burglary Detail led the investigations of these three incidents and obtained security camera surveillance from all three incidents and were able to identify the suspect as Molimau Masaniai, 28, of San Francisco. Investigators developed probable cause, and on August 18, arrested Masaniai on the 100 block of Turk Street. Investigators conducted a search warrant on the suspect’s home at that time.
He was booked into custody at San Francisco County Jail on three counts of burglary (459 PC), three counts of vandalism (594(a)(2) PC, and one count of possession of burglary tools (466 PC). The SFPD are still investigating the case. 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.
