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BWC: Break-in suspect tries to stab SFPD officers while fleeing on foot before being tackled, arrested

The man raised a knife at officers as he ran away; he dropped the knife when an officer pointed a gun at him and was brought to the ground and arrested shortly after

By Joanna Putman
Police1

SAN FRANCISCO — A man was arrested after breaking into an occupied home and later trying to stab responding officers, according to a critical incident briefing and video release from the San Francisco Police Department.

Body camera footage from the April 8 incident was released on Oct. 24. Video shows the homeowner speaking with officers outside the home, informing them that the suspect was still inside the house, along with the homeowner’s wife.

Officers entered the building, announcing their presence.

“Without waiting for backup, Officers Monroe and Chinawah entered the home for the safety of the wife,” according to the incident release.

The officers found the wife still in bed and asked her to leave the home. They performed a tactical sweep of the home but did not find the suspect.

Officers went back outside and spoke to the residents, who expressed gratitude for their help. The officers concluded that the suspect was using the rooftops to gain access to other homes.

Other responding officers climbed to the roof, where they found the suspect and instructed him to come toward them.

“People are concerned about you, man!” the officers can be heard saying.

Instead of approaching the officers, the man climbed down the building through another ladder system. Officers followed his movements back down toward the ground.

When he emerged from the building, he began to flee from officers. As he fled, he raised a knife over his head, video shows.

He then turned around to face the pursuing officer and slashed downward with the knife before continuing to flee. Another officer caught up with the man. The suspect then attempted to stab that officer before she drew her service weapon.

The man dropped the knife when the gun was pointed at him, but continued to flee, the video shows. He was quickly tackled by another officer and taken into custody, according to the critical incident briefing.

Officers Monroe and Chinawah were honored during a Medal of Valor Ceremony in October for their bravery in apprehending the suspect in this case.

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