A Trader Joe’s shoplifting suspect was killed and two San Francisco police officers were injured Friday after all three were struck by a vehicle while the man attempted to flee on foot.
Officers responded shortly after 7:30 a.m. to a reported theft at the Trader Joe’s on California and Hyde streets in San Francisco’s Nob Hill neighborhood, according to a news release. The store was not open at the time.
Video obtained by Fox 2 San Francisco shows the suspect, allegedly a former employee of the grocery store, running from police on a sidewalk before falling to the ground, where officers get on top of him in an attempt to detain him. As the struggle continues, a black Lexus SUV approaches and the group remains in its path for several seconds before the vehicle fails to stop in time and strikes the suspect and the two officers.
One of the officers was pinned beneath the SUV and had to be rescued by firefighters, while emergency crews rushed all three people to a nearby hospital. Despite life-saving efforts, the suspect later died from his injuries, officials said.
Both officers suffered leg injuries but are expected to survive.
The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators, though police have not said how fast the vehicle was traveling or what caused the crash. Police have not identified the suspect and are continuing to investigate both the alleged theft and the collision, including the circumstances of the foot pursuit and whether officers followed department chase policies.
Under San Francisco police policy adopted in 2023, officers may only initiate foot pursuits when they reasonably believe a suspect has committed an offense warranting detention or arrest, acknowledging that such chases are inherently “dangerous and unpredictable.”
Trader Joe’s, as well as city officials, have issued statements about the incident.
Nakia Rohde, Trader Joe’s public relations manager, told Mission Local in a statement, “We are aware of the tragic accident involving a former Trader Joe’s Crew Member and members of the San Francisco Police Department that occurred this morning.”
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said he spoke with both of the officers who were hit and is wishing them a “speedy recovery.”
“Every day, our police officers put themselves in harm’s way to keep San Franciscans safe,” Lurie said on X. “… Any loss of life is a tragedy. I am grateful to the first responders who acted quickly to render aid to everyone involved.”
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to call SFPD at 415-575-4444 or text the tipline at TIP411.
The Independent has contacted the San Francisco Police Department for comment.
