San Francisco police arrested the two people they believe responsible for a carjacking that led to a dramatic crash down the Sanchez Street stairs in the Castro last weekend.
Kevin Nelson, 36, and Jennifer Bonham, 31, both of San Francisco, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy, carjacking, and receiving a stolen vehicle, police stated in a news release July 26. Bonham was also arrested on suspicion of reckless driving.
Video of the crash shortly after 7 p.m. Saturday, July 22, had circulated on social media and television news. The arrests were made Tuesday.
Gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman thanked the SFPD on X (formerly Twitter). He did not return a request for additional comment by press time Thursday.
NEW: Arrests made in the carjacking that resulted in a stolen vehicle driving off the Sanchez Street Stairs. Thank you @SFPD https://t.co/wKrHdJPwcq
— Rafael Mandelman (@RafaelMandelman) July 26, 2023
Police responded to the crash, at Sanchez and 19th streets, and "observed a vehicle that had rolled over and was resting on its hood," according to the release. A tree was knocked down and other damage was visible in the video. The car left the roadway at the dead-end of Cumberland Street above the stairs.
"Witnesses told officers that all occupants had exited the vehicle and fled from the scene. Officers were unable to locate the occupants of the vehicle," the release continued.
"While on scene, officers were approached by a victim who identified himself as the owner of the vehicle involved in the collision," the release stated. "The victim stated that he was sitting in his vehicle near 19th Street and Dolores Street when he was approached by unknown suspects who carjacked his vehicle. The victim reported non-life-threatening injuries caused by the incident."
At this point the robbery detail took over the investigation, the release continued.
"Through the course of the investigation, investigators developed information that identified two suspects involved in the incident ...," the news release stated. "On July 25, 2023, at approximately 5:54 p.m., investigators located Nelson and Bonham on the 1400 block of Pine Street and took them into custody without incident."
Nelson was treated for injuries at a local hospital; Bonham was transported to County Jail No. 1.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the SFPD at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD. Tipsters may remain anonymous.
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