Crime Beat: Have You Seen This Package Thief?

From Jonathan:

I live on 22nd Street. We have been victimized by the "bicycle bandit" for years. We have called the police on several occasions when we have seen him in the neighborhood but they told us there was nothing they could do until someone caught him the act. Fortunately for us (and the residents of Noe Valley) he was arrested the other day after Sonya Yu's daring arrest.

I took this photo of him a few weeks ago. When we yelled at him to get out of the neighborhood and leave us alone he smiled and waved. I'm sending this to you because his arraignment is today and most likely he'll be released. If anyone sees him riding his bicycle in the neighborhood they should call the Mission Police Station at 558-5400. If they see him stealing anything or even up on anyone's front porch they should dial 911.

So what about it Noe Valley? Do you have pictures of this guy in the area? We want everyone to know who this guy is. Send your photos and we'll add them to the post - and tell your neighbors to be on the lookout.

Here's another via Twitter user @gmbrickley (from Bernal Heights):

[NVSF: Crime Beat: Suspected Package Thief Doused With Bear Spray, Arrested]
[NVSF: Video: Thief Empties Box Left By OnTrac]

Crime Beat: Suspected Package Thief Doused With Bear Spray, Arrested

Update (11/28): Zach pulled the videos after being hounded by too much media (some actually camping out in front of the house). The image above is just a screen shot.

Also this from SFGate:

Police held Andy Anduha, 51, on her citizen’s arrest before booking him into county jail on suspicion of attempted burglary. Anduha is scheduled to be arraigned on one count of first-degree residential burglary, said Alex Bastian, a spokesman for the district attorney’s office. He faces up to six years in state prison if convicted, and one strike against him under the state’s three-strikes law.

The original post continues below:

Great news sent to us straight from people involved: Zack says a package thief was arrested today in spectacular fashion:

My fiance Sonya chased him down today after pepper spraying him. 10 cops and a citizens arrest later, he is currently being processed for attempted burglary.

Here's a nice video of her running out the front door with a bokken in hand. [Ed.--deleted]

Zack had previously installed a motion-activated camera in their entryway that sends an alert when recording. Presumably, Sonya received an alert and took off in pursuit. "Sonya was actually sitting on the front balcony above the gate. The sound of the gate opening is what startled her." What happened next may become legend:

HE IS BEIN TAKEN AWAY IN AN AMBULANCE CUZ OF THE BEAR SPRAY I DOUSED HIM WITH.
— Sonya Yu (@sonyayu) November 27, 2012

And:

@nettatheninja he didn't try to attack me but he did have a knife. I was above him on the 1st floor balcony, dousing him with bear spray.
— Sonya Yu (@sonyayu) November 27, 2012

And:

I WAS ALSO HIT WITH BEAR SPRAY BLOW BACK, SO MY FACE IS BURNING BUT IT FEELS SO GOOD.
— Sonya Yu (@sonyayu) November 27, 2012

But she's ok:

Now onto making a dinner of blowtorch prime rib roast & fried brussels sprouts for friends tonight. All in a day’s work.
— Sonya Yu (@sonyayu) November 27, 2012

The Bad Guy on the other hand:

@_bryce_ he escaped, but not far. The bear spray debilitated him & painted him orange so other cops picked him up within 5 minutes. GOT HIM!
— Sonya Yu (@sonyayu) November 27, 2012

As for the cops?

@nettatheninja hhahah cop asked me if I have a license for it - I told him it's sold on the shelves at REI. Very handy for home protection.
— Sonya Yu (@sonyayu) November 27, 2012

But their initial reaction?

@nettatheninja yes otherwise ok :) I chased him with the spray & bokken. Cops were cracking up when they arrived to see me & my weapons.
— Sonya Yu (@sonyayu) November 27, 2012

The best part? Sonya said she received a call from SFPD and that the perp has been booked for attempted burglary (a felony). He'll be in jail for a while.

Well done, Sonya!

Update (5/28/13): From the comments below:

Looks like Mr Anduha the "bicycle bandit" may be back on his rounds. I saw him this morning on his bike checking doorsteps in Bernal. He actually parked his bike up on it's stand in the middle of the street and looked both ways before walking up my neighbors drive. I should add I didn't see him take anything this time but I'll be challenging him next time I see him.

[Twitter: @sonyayu]
[Wikipedia: bokken]
[REI: Bear Spray]
[NVSF: Video: Thief Empties Box Left By OnTrac] 

This Week At The Planning Commission

A look at Noe Valley projects in front of the Planning Commission this week. Information is provided by the Planning Commission, and taken from its published agenda. All hearings are on Thursday at 1:30pm, Room 400 in City Hall.

November 29

88 28TH STREET - north side between Dolores and Guerrero Streets; Lot 016A in Assessor’s Block 6599 - Request for Discretionary Review of Building Permit Application No. 2012.03.14.6044, proposing to construct a rear addition at the first and second stories, a new third story and roof decks above the second story of the existing single family dwelling structure within the RH-2 (Residential, House – Two-Family) Zoning District and 40-X Height and Bulk District.
Staff Analysis: Abbreviated Discretionary Review
Preliminary Recommendation: Do not take Discretionary Review and approve

Chalk this one up to a classic San Francisco argument over rights to air and light, with an added twist of objecting to the abatement of asbestos siding. There were meetings with lawyers, experts engaged, some compromises and now a hearing in which approval is expected.

The complete document with request for Discretionary Review, response, lights studies, drawings, letters of support and staff analysis is here (large PDF).

Update: Approved 6-0.

[SF Planning: 88 28th St]
[Photo: SF Planning]

This Week In Noe Valley: Holiday Conversation Starters

News from, about and for Noe Valley from around the interwebs:

• Trip Advisor users define "real" Noe Valley [Trip Advisor]
• And what does Airbnb say about Noe Valley? [Airbnb]
• But living in Noe Valley isn't always puppies and butterflies [Curbed SF]
• Nor is it cheap: $1.39M average sale for single family homes in October [Downing & Co]
• Yet people will do anything to get here [@tessde]
• Meanwhile, the kittens at Macy's recommend getting out of the house [SF SPCA (live cam)]

[Photo: papahazama]

Umpqua Bank Swallows Circle Bank

A new sign popped up on 24th St that caught our eye and a quick turn of the head confirmed that Cirle Bank is no more - it's been acquired by Umpqua Bank. Apparently the deal was announced in late August, but today the rebranding was completed. Umpqua is based out of Portland, OR, and currently has 184 locations throughout the West. Not exactly the "local" Circle Bank people were attracted to.

Umpqua Bank
3938 24th St

[SF Biz Times: Umpqua CEO: Circle Bank deal puts 'wind in our sail' for Bay Area expansion]

Opening: Little Folkies

The space vacated by Heliotrope on Church St has transformed into the new location for Little Folkies, an oh-so-Noe music class for kids and parents. From the flyer:

Little Folkies is a song circle for children and their parents/caregivers. It's a fun-filled and relaxed incarnation of this classic children's music format, making music with family and friends in a circle (minus the campfire).

The songs of Little Folkies presents the stuff of day to day life in language understood and loved by class members both young and old, especially relatable to children.

The songs presented at Little Folkies cover a lot of ground and will provide endless hours of fun and moments of pure joy for you and your family. The 35-40 minute class will highlight the experience of singing this wonderful material in a cozy, comfortable environment surrounded by friendly faces.

That's a lot of words to sell the classic campfire song, but it's nice to see something going in that bare stretch of Church.

No strollers (or shoes) allowed inside. The class schedule and prices are posted on the website.

Little Folkies
1515 Church St. @ 27th St
Littlefolkies.com

This Week At The Planning Commission

A look at Noe Valley projects in front of the Planning Commission this week. Information is provided by the Planning Commission, and taken from its published agenda. All hearings are on Thursday at 1:30pm, Room 400 in City Hall.

November 15th

481 JERSEY STREET - south side between Diamond and Castro Streets, Lot 029 in Assessor's Block 6539 - Requests for Discretionary Review of Building Permit Application No. 2008.03.18.7426 proposing to construct a one-story vertical addition, a rear horizontal addition, infill the setbacks at the east side of the building, and alter the front façade of a single-family dwelling, resulting in a two-story over garage, single-family dwelling, located within a RH-2 (Residential, House, Two-Family) Zoning District and 40-X Height and Bulk District.
Staff Analysis: Abbreviated Discretionary Review
Preliminary Recommendation: Do not take Discretionary Review and approve

In brief: Previous owners filed for a construction permit in 2008 (that was approved after a mandatory Discretionary Review) but never started work. Instead, they remodeled the kitchen and bathroom and sold the building in 2011. The new owners filed to complete the original permit with some envelope changes, triggering new 311 notification. Neighbors on both sides requested Review citing light and air concerns, as well as design issues. The neighbors say that the new owners have made no effort (and "refused to meet") to discuss alternative designs. The applicant disputes that claim and provides a timeline of meetings and concessions. The Residential Design Team states the project meets Guidelines, and Planning staff recommends approval.

The complete document with request for Discretionary Review, response, drawings, letters and complete staff analysis is here (large PDF).

Update: Approved 5-0.

[SF Planning: 481 Jersey St]
[Photo: SF Planning]

For Sale: Noe Valley Pizzeria

Via Craigslist:

San Francisco Pizza Restaurant For Sale! - $320000 (noe valley)

Well established for 30 years, San Francisco Pizza Restaurant For Sale. Includes Beer and Wine License. New Lease to be negotiated with the owner of the property. Business claims net profits of over $100,000.00 per year. Gross profits of over $300,000.00 per year. Ideal for someone with a culinary background. Information herein needs to be verified by Buyer. Please call for more information. Potential Buyer needs to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement before exact location or further details is disclosed. The current owner is relocating abroad and that is the reason for selling. Not a distressed business.

What's clear is that the listed restaurant has been around for 30 years, comes with a beer/wine license, needs a new lease, and is profitable (by gross receipts anyway).

That's all we know for sure, so let's speculate. Patxi's? Unlikely. Twin Peaks? Possible, but in business for only 26 years. Haystack? Dunno, but they've been in business for 37 years and a recent change on the block may have tipped the owners to how hot 24th St's real estate market is. Hmmm... All three have a beer/wine license.

Noe Valley diners were excited about Contigo, Saru, Little Chihuahua and now Crafthouse. But this old thread illustrates that a) Noe Valley has strong opinions on pizza; and b) residents will search beyond our borders if the pie doesn't rate.

Thoughts?

[Craigslist: San Francisco Pizza Restaurant For Sale!]
[NVSF: Best Pizza Delivery In Noe Valley?]
[Photo: SFoodie]