From SFPD

San Francisco Police Arrests Suspect in Bank Robbery Series

Beginning on May 3, a series of bank robberies began occurring in the City of San Francisco. The robberies followed a similar modus operandi (M.O.) in which the suspect would enter a bank, hand a teller a note and demand money. In five of the nine incidents the tellers complied and suspect successfully stole U.S. Currency then flee the scene. The bank robberies occurred at the following locations on the following dates:

-May 3, 2023 on the 200 block of Winston Drive

-May 5, 2023 on the 2000 block of Irving Street

-May 8, 2023 on the 6100 block of Geary Boulevard

-May 8, 2023 on the 600 block of 8^th Street

-May 8, 2023 on the 300 block of Clement Street

-May 8, 2023 on the 1800 block of Irving Street

-May 9, 2023 on the 2600 block of Ocean Avenue

-May 9, 2023 on the 2600 block of Ocean Avenue

-May 9, 2023 on the 2000 block of Irving Street

The investigation was led by the SFPD Robbery Detail. Through the course of the investigation, investigators obtained images of the suspect from surveillance footage and disseminated a crime alert to SFPD officers.

On May 9, 2023, at approximately 3:30 p.m., officers from Taraval Police Station responded to the 2000 block of Irving Street for a report of a bank robbery. Officers arrived on scene and met with the victim and witnesses who stated the suspect had handed the teller a note demanding cash. The suspect stole cash and then fled the scene on a bicycle.

At approximately 4:00 p.m., officers from Richmond Station observed a suspect on Geary Street that matched the description of the bank robbery suspect. As the officers attempted to detain the suspect, a brief pursuit ensued. Officers from Taraval Station responded to the scene and assisted to place the suspect into custody. Investigators determined probable cause to arrest the suspect, identified as 34-year-old Julien Lee, for the above listed incidents and placed him under arrest on scene.

Lee was later transported to San Francisco County Jail where he was booked for four counts of second-degree robbery (211 PC), four counts of second-degree attempted robbery (664/211 2^nd PC), eight counts of second-degree burglary (459 2^nd PC), resisting arrest (148(a)(1) PC), and outstanding warrants out of San Francisco for robbery, burglary, and grand theft.   

While an arrest has been made, these incidents remain open investigations. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the San Francisco Police Department SFPD 24-hour-tip line at 1-415-575-4444, or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD. You may remain anonymous.