Suspects Who Vandalized San Francisco Restaurant During Santa Con Arrested
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- Two women who were caught on camera trashing a Pakistani restaurant on Polk Street in San Francisco during Santa Con over the weekend turned themselves in to authorities Tuesday, according to police.
Police in San Francisco said they were called to the restaurant on the 1400 block of Polk Street at around 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, December 8th regarding a vandalism incident.
An employee named Alejo at the Pakistani restaurant Shalimar said the two unknown women, who appeared to be intoxicated, came into the restaurant.
One of the women claimed that she had paid for food but not received it. Alejo denied her claim and refused to serve her because she was too intoxicated, police said.
The woman became angry and began knocking items off of the restaurant counter and shelves, including the cash register and a sound system. The employee confronted the woman and she punched him in the face, according to police.
The woman threw a jar of sugar at Alejo.
"She hit me over here, and she threw this one," said Alejo.
Alejo ran to safety while the first woman continued to throw items to the floor in the restaurant. According to Alejo, the second woman grabbed a chair outside the restaurant and shattered the front glass door before the two women left.
Video of the incident was posted on social media and was shared thousands of times on Facebook and Twitter. Several news outlets including KPIX 5 covered the story.
Police said after seeing news reports featuring the footage, both women surrendered themselves at the SFPD Northern Police Station on Tuesday.
"This afternoon, apparently these women saw themselves on the news and turned themselves in," said SFPD officer Joseph Tomlinson. "They were very clear images and people were able to see and recognize these people."
Kate Crawford, a resident of the neighborhood, says she avoids Santa Con because of the bad behavior that often comes with it.
"It's one thing to go out, get drunk and have a bit of fun, act a little inappropriate, but to take it to that level it's really despicable, said Crawford. "I'm glad that they are taking ownership and taking responsibility for their actions."
21-year-old Pacifica resident Hannah Baughman -- the woman who hit the restaurant employee and knocked items off of the counters -- was booked at San Francisco County Jail for felony vandalism and battery.
21-year-old San Francisco resident Natalie Alcantar -- the woman who smashed the glass door at the restaurant -- was also booked at San Francisco County Jail for felony vandalism.
A worker at Shalimar told KPIX 5 Monday night that he just wanted the two women to pay for the damages. He said he would also like for there to be more of a police presence during next year's Santa Con.
Anyone with additional information about the incident is encouraged to contact the SFPD Anonymous Tip Line at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 with SFPD at the beginning of the message.
