Video: $23K Violin Thief Gets Away on Muni

SFPD is looking for tips on this one. It appears that someone stole a very expensive violin and used Muni as their getaway. The SF Examiner has more.

“Anyone with information is asked to call the Police Department’s anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444 or Danker at (415) 614-3463.”

Since it’s unfortunately Crime on Muni Week, here are a couple other crime stories you might’ve missed:
A new type of crime on Muni?
Be Mindful When Riding Muni With Your Bike

Be Mindful When Riding Muni With Your Bike

Bikes On The Bus
Photo by Pete Boyd

Amy requests your attention, especially if you transport your bicycle on Muni buses:

When I was getting on the bus, the driver told me they’ve had a rash of bikes being stolen off the front of buses. Since I rarely use Muni to transport my bike I sat near the front to watch it. And of course at 7th and Market I see a guy go to the front of the bus and eye the driver who is busy with cash customers. He then tries to yank my bike from the rack. I started screaming and running to the front of the bus and the driver started to honk. Instead of running off the guy kept trying to get the bike off the rack. Luckily for me the arm that goes over the bike wheel got stuck. But the guy still didn’t give up there. After I was all the way up to him he said “I was just playing” and tried to board the bus for free.

I had my U-lock going frame to wheel but from the way he was trying to pick it up, his intentions were to run off with it, not ride it away.

I’ve heard of bikes being stolen from buses before, but dismissed it as a rumor or rarity. Clearly this is not the case.

The few other times I’ve used Muni to transport my bike I’d watch it but not as closely. If the arm on the bus wasn’t broken it would have been gone in seconds.

Be careful out there, Muni-riding cyclists.

A new type of crime on Muni?

Church street station
Photo by kurafire

Brian sends the following dispatch:

Just a quick note about a new (or new to me?) type of crime on Muni.

I was coming from from downtown yesterday on an M. I got off at the Church Station and started walking towards the back of the train on the platform when I noticed a guy standing on the edge of the platform very near the back of the train.. it almost looked like he was trying to hang on to the back or something. But then when I got closer I realized he was trying to open the window to the operator’s compartment on the back of the train. He succeeded in opening it and stuck his head and the upper part of his body in.. then he came out later with a few items.. possibly the stack of transfers and something else? He was definitely NOT a MUNI employee. Afterwards he just sort of walked away, nonchalant like nothing happened. I think most of the other people on the platform were confused like me.. thinking, “Wait, did that guy just break into a active train?”

We’re checking with SFMTA and SFPD about whether this has been reported. Stay tuned.

Have you seen anything like this?

Twins out and about via Muni

buzzmae

Rick shares some photos his children’s caretaker shot of his twins riding Muni.

[One is] shot of them on their way to Dolores Park on the J looking like Buzz Lightyear and Mae West.

bus

[Here] they were on their way on the 44 from Glen Park to the Academy of Sciences.

Both shots were taken by our caregiver, Sydney Shannon on her iPhone. The three of them take lots of trips out to lots of places on Muni and BART.

They are happy transit kids.

We approve. Thanks, Rick!

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