SAN FRANCISCO—The San Francisco Police Department have arrested a suspect connected to a series of armed robberies in the region. According to the SFPD, on December 6, 2018, a male suspect riding a motorcycle and wearing a motorcycle helmet at approximately 10:22 p.m. walked into a Eureka Valley neighborhood market, brandished a firearm at the cashier, and demanded cash from the register.
The cashier followed the instructions of the suspect, who took the cash before and merchandise before fleeing the scene. An hour later, a gas station in the Inner Sunset District was robbed in a similar manner. The location of the robbery was less than 2 miles away from the Eureka Valley market.
While conducting the investigation, the SFPD Robbery Investigators developed information that led to a possible suspect who was wanted for committing a similar crime in a neighboring jurisdiction.
On January 11, 2019 at approximately 7:44 a.m., a suspect wearing a motorcycle helmet drove into a Marina District gas station where he showcased a firearm and robbed the business. On January 12, 2019 at approximately 5:45 a.m., a suspect walked into a Marina District restaurant and robbed the business at gunpoint.
SFPD Investigators developed and followed multiple leads which resulted in the positive identification of the suspect. On January 17, 2019 members of the SFPD Robbery Detail, the Special Investigations Detail, and the Tactical Unit, served a search warrant on the 2400 block of 21st Street in San Pablo where they arrested Ricardo Jose Escobar-Hernandez, 27.
Escobar-Hernandez was booked for a total of 5 commercial robberies, 2 counts of vehicle theft, and possession of stolen property for the robberies in San Francisco. He has been linked to seven additional robberies in surrounding Bay Area counties.
The SFPD is still investigating the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact the SFPD 24-hour tip line at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD.
