Pepper Spray Bandits Strike SF

Thieves targeting pedestrians on cell phones

Pepper Spray is usually used against robbers, but now a team of robbers is using it against their victims. Five attacks Wednesday and Thursday night have prompted San Fransisco police to go under cover to catch the thieves. 

The robbers attacked in groups of one to four, pepper-spraying pedestrians then grabbing their loot. They stole cell phones, wallets, purses, credit cards, a back pack, an ipod and cash before running or driving away, police said.

"Victims have been using their smart-phones or not being really alert to what's going on," San Francisco Police Lieutenant Troy Dangerfield said.

Victims include a 41-year-old woman in the Mission, a 26-year-old man in the Lower Haight, a 29-year-old woman on Nob Hill, a 28-year-old woman in pacific Heights and a 45-year-old woman in Cow Hollow.

Three attacks on Wednesday happened from 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. and two attacks on Thursday happened just ten minutes apart starting at 9:30 p.m.

Fortunately for robbers, police don't have a descripion of them because the victims can't see after being pepper-sprayed.

So lay off all that texting while walking at night and keep an eye out.

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local-beat/Pepper-Spray-Bandits-Strike-SF-107724963.html

Like a gun or knife or even a screwdriver, pepper spray can be used against you by a criminal.  The key, as always, is to be aware of your surroundings. Predators look for the easiest targets and one that is fiddling with their smart phone and not looking is a most likely target indeed. The element of surprise works in combat as well as crime. As the economy continues to deteriorate we will surely see more of these types of crimes. Be safe, be aware!

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