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Bicycle Safety

Hit-and-Run Rampage Suspect Arrested After Reporting Vehicle Carjacked

5:18 PM PDT on June 4, 2010

gascon_bike_rampage_small.jpgSFPD Chief Gascon with a battered bicycle displayed behind him. Photo: Matthew Roth

Investigators from the San Francisco and Albany police departments
have arrested
the suspected driver
of an SUV who went
on a
rampage
and targeted four cyclists in San Francisco Wednesday night.

The unidentified man, described only as a 40-year-old white
male, was taken into custody in Albany at around 1 p.m. today after he
showed up at the Albany Police Department to report his vehicle had been
carjacked. 

"We have significant evidence to lead us to believe
this suspect was
involved in the incident," said San Francisco Police Chief George
Gascón. But he cautioned they had
not established a motive nor would they divulge too much information
about the ongoing investigation.

At a press conference this afternoon, Gascón described the case as
being "of great significance" to
his department. "We had an individual who went around the city and
basically mowed down
four cyclists," he said.

According to the SFPD, because
the suspect still has to be medically cleared and completely booked, the
SFPD is withholding his name and many details about him, but police
said he is a likely resident of Albany.

"We don't want to do anything today to jeopardize the case," Gascón
said.

SFPD Sgt. Jon Kasper, who led the investigation, gave a summary of the 36 hour investigation, saying his department worked closely
with the Albany PD.

Kasper said the registered owner of a 2008 blue Nissan Rogue SUV
had fled the scene after driving into the fourth cyclist and managed to
evade the police until today.

During the investigation the SFPD went to the home where the
suspect's car had been registered, only to find out he had moved. They
tracked him to his new address, but he wasn't there either. The SFPD
conducted joint surveillance with the Albany PD, but the suspect
continued to evade them.

The suspect will be charged with one count of attempted murder, one
count of assault with a deadly weapon with attempt to
cause body harm, and one count of felony hit and run for each of the victims, bringing his total charges to 12.

Beyond the injuries to the cyclists, there were no other reported
injuries. Several cars sustained damage in the series of events. 

The SFPD wouldn't elaborate on the reasons for the medical
screening during booking, but didn't rule out physical injuries or
mental instability. Gascón said more information will likely be released
today and over the weekend.

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