One of three suspects believed responsible for an assault and robbery that left two elderly members of the Chinatown community injured has been arrested, according to the SFPD.
The brazen attack happened around lunchtime on July 15 near the intersection of Stockton and Pacific Streets, and it sent both victims, who are leaders in the local community, to the hospital. One victim also a lost a Rolex watch in the process. Now, as the SFPD explains in a Facebook post, it has made an arrest after serving a search warrant in Oakland, taking 19-year-old Dashawn Pierson into custody.
In the attack, "three suspects approached the first victim, a 56-year-old San Francisco resident, lifted him up off of his feet and threw him to the ground. The second victim, a 69-year-old San Francisco resident, attempted to intervene and was knocked unconscious," as the SFPD describes it.
After searching Pierson's home, officers say they recovered "evidence connecting Pierson to the robbery." Two other suspects remain at large, and the Rolex still has not been recovered.
Police released photos of the three attackers in late July, and released the booking photo of Pierson on Tuesday.
As ABC 7 reported in July, the incident prompted an outcry from Chinatown residents who said they were in the midst of a crime wave and that they felt they were being specifically targeted by criminals from outside the neighborhood. The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association also offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to the prosecution of the attackers.
There were tears, shouting and lots of emotion at today’s Chinatown community meeting. After 2 seniors were beaten and robbed last week citizens say enough is enough. https://t.co/iiSuUJEGio pic.twitter.com/yQxzxnIva6
— Dion Lim (@DionLimTV) July 23, 2019
"For years, the Chinese Community has been complaining that they've been disproportionately targeted for robberies, assaults in their homes, businesses and on the street," said Supervisor Gordon Mar at the time. And he called on the SFPD to release demographic data on these types of crimes.
Police are still seeking information about the July 15 assaults, and anyone with that information can call the anonymous tip line at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD.
