POLICE ASK FOR PUBLIC’S HELP TO SOLVE FATAL DOWNTOWN SHOOTING

Police are asking for the public’s help to solve the fatal shooting of a 26-year-old man in downtown San Francisco earlier this month.
Joshua Mejia died after he was shot around 1:30 a.m. on July 17 in the 900 block of Geary Street, according to police.
Police are asking that anyone who took pictures or videos of the incident or the events leading up to the shooting to contact them.
Police believe the incident started when a fight broke out between patrons leaving a nearby bar. The dispute had allegedly subsided when a suspect then pulled up in a car, got out and fired several shots, police said.
Mejia, an Alameda resident, was pronounced dead at the scene while a second man was taken to a hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Police Department’s homicide detail at (415) 553-1145 and reference case number 160-575-559. Persons who wish to remain anonymous can text tips to TIP411 with “SFPD” at the beginning of the message or call (415) 575-4444.

POLICE ARREST MAN AFTER ARGUMENT RESULTS IN STABBING

A 27-year-old man was hospitalized with critical injuries Monday afternoon after another man stabbed him near United Nations Plaza in San Francisco, according to police.
Officers responded around 4:15 p.m. to a report of a stabbing at Seventh and Market streets, police said.
Investigators learned two men had gotten into an argument that escalated and resulted in one of the men stabbing the other with a folding knife, according to police.
The victim was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive, police said.
The suspect, a 37-year-old man, fled the scene but was eventually apprehended and arrested by officers in the area, according to police. His name was not immediately available.

POLICE INVOLVED IN STANDOFF WITH AUTISTIC TEEN ARMED WITH KNIFE

San Francisco police this morning remain at the scene of a standoff that began Monday night involving a 13-year-old autistic boy armed with a knife at a home near Dolores Park.
The incident began around 9:15 p.m. after officers responded to a report of a barricaded suspect in the 200 block of Cumberland Street, police said.
Officer learned the teen had gotten into an argument with his family, according to police.
No other information on the standoff was immediately available.

FBI SEEKING ‘DREADED BANDIT’ IN 4 BAY AREA BANK ROBBERIES

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of a man suspected of robbing at least four Bay Area banks since April, FBI officials announced Monday.
The suspect, who has been dubbed the “Dreaded Bandit,” recently allegedly robbed the same San Francisco bank twice with the last two months, according to the FBI.
On June 23 and July 11, the suspect committed takeover-style robberies at Comerica Bank, located at 2001 Union St. In both robberies, the suspect displayed a handgun and made off with an undisclosed amount of cash, FBI officials said.
FBI officials were able to recover surveillance images of the suspect from those robberies.
The suspect is also believed to have robbed the Provident Credit Union at 2727 S. El Camino Real in San Mateo on May 12 and the First Republic Bank at 2001 Van Ness Ave. in San Francisco on April 22, according to the FBI.
The suspect is described as a black man in his early 30s who is about 6 feet tall with a slim build. He is known to wear disguises during some of the robberies, including makeup and a dark colored wig simulating long hair.
Anyone with information about his identity is asked to contact the FBI. All calls are confidential and the FBI San Francisco office can be reached 24 hours a day at (415) 553-7400.

TWO ARRESTED AFTER LOADED GUN DISCOVERED DURING TRAFFIC STOP

Police arrested two people early Monday morning after officers discovered a loaded gun hidden inside a paper bag during a traffic stop in San Francisco’s Bayview District.
Just after midnight, officers responded to the 300 block of Bayshore Boulevard after receiving a report that a suspect had brandished a gun, police said.
Responding officers were able to locate and pull over a car that matched the description provided by the caller near the corner of Oakdale Avenue and Industrial Street, according to police.
When officers made contact with the driver and the passenger, they noticed the butt of a handgun sticking out of a Jack in the Box paper bag inside the car, police said.
The officers recovered the gun, a loaded .40-caliber pistol, which had an obliterated serial number. They then detained the two suspects, identified as 36-year-old Eric McLin and 27-year-old Erika Bell.
The officers were able to obtain a search warrant for one of the suspect’s home, located in the 1400 block of Newcomb Avenue. There, officers located another loaded .40-caliber handgun, as well as ammunition and magazines, police said.
Both McLin and Bell were arrested on suspicion of carrying a loaded firearm, having a concealed firearm in a vehicle and conspiracy to commit a crime, according to police.

3RD CONSECUTIVE SPARE THE AIR ALERT ISSUED FOR WEDNESDAY

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has issued a third consecutive Spare the Air alert for Wednesday because of unhealthy ozone accumulation forecasted.
The alert, prompted by triple-digit temperatures inland, light wind and vehicle exhaust combining to create unhealthy air conditions in the region, is the 11th of the summer season, according to the air district.
Smoke from the Soberanes Fire in Monterey County is also expected to impact the Bay Area’s air quality over the next several days, air district officials said.
“It’s important that residents take precautions to protect their health by avoiding outdoor activities, especially when they can smell smoke, and avoid driving to reduce overall pollution,” air district executive officer Jack Broadbent said in a statement.
Ozone, otherwise known as smog, can cause throat irritation, congestion, chest pain and worsen bronchitis and emphysema, among other health problems, according to the air district.
Residents are encouraged to carpool, bike, walk or take public transit to work instead of driving alone. A list of commute programs available can be found online at www.stacommutetips.org.