San Francisco Police announce arrest in Uber assault and robbery case 21-059
Another suspect expressed her intent through counsel late this afternoon to turn herself in
The San Francisco Police Department today announced that an arrest has been made in connection with the March 7, 2021 aggravated assault and robbery of a 32-year-old Uber driver near the intersection San Bruno Avenue and Bacon Street in San Francisco’s Bayview Neighborhood.
Police officers from the Las Vegas Police Department earlier today apprehended 24-year-old Malaysia King in connection with the incident. Another suspect, 24-year-old Arna Kimiai, remains outstanding at this time, but communicated through her legal counsel late this afternoon to the San Francisco Police Department of her intent to turn herself in soon.
“We’re glad to hear that Ms. Kimiai intends to do the right thing and turn herself in to the nearest law enforcement agency, and we hope it happens promptly,” said Lt. Tracy McCray, who heads the San Francisco Police Department’s Robbery Detail. “The behavior captured on video in this incident showed a callous disregard for the safety and wellbeing of an essential service worker in the midst of a deadly pandemic. We take this conduct very seriously in San Francisco, and we’re committed to ensuring that justice is done in this case.”
On Sunday, March 7 at approximately 1:16 p.m., San Francisco police officers assigned to Bayview Station responded to the intersection of San Bruno Avenue and Bacon Street for a reported aggravated assault. When officers arrived on scene, they met with a 32-year-old male victim who said that he was assaulted by two female suspects. The victim identified himself as a rideshare operator.
He reported that at approximately 12:45 p.m. he picked up three female passengers at San Bruno Avenue and Felton Street. The driver stopped and ended the ride a few minutes later when he realized one of the passengers was not wearing a mask in compliance with state and local public health orders for COVID-19. The driver said that he could not continue the fare unless all passengers were wearing their masks. An altercation ensued, and one of the passengers reached over the driver from the rear seat area and stole the driver’s cellphone. The victim grabbed and eventually regained possession of his phone.
The suspects then exited the car and another passenger reached into an open window and sprayed what is believed to be pepper spray into the vehicle towards the driver. The suspects fled the scene. SFPD’s Robbery Unit took over the investigation and identified two suspects soon after, Ms. Kimiai and Ms. King.
Ms. King was arrested today on an Arrest Warrant for the following charges: assault with a caustic chemical (244 PC), assault and battery (243.3 PC), conspiracy (182 PC) and violation of health and safety code (120295 H&S).
While an arrest has been made, this remains an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the SFPD Tip Line at (415) 575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD.
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