SFPD Arrest Vandalism/ Hate Crime Suspect

On the morning of September 7, 2015, graffiti was observed at six different locations throughout the Portola neighborhood in the Bayview District. The words “NO MORE CHINESE” were sprayed in orange paint at the following 6 locations: Palega Park, Somerset Street/Silver Avenue at a vacant grocery store, University Street/Bacon Street on the fence of a vacant lot, 100 Block of Brussels Street on a house under construction, 100 Block of Brussels Street on a house for sale, and the 1300 Block of Silver on an office building. This incident was immediately determined to be hate motivated and investigated by SFPD’s Special Investigations Division Hate Crime Unit. SID investigators were immediately able to identify a vehicle and person of interest. A crime alert was subsequently distributed throughout the department in an effort to identify the suspect in these incidents.

On September 8, 2015, Bayview Station officers were on the 1200 block of Bayshore Blvd. when they observed an individual and vehicle matching the description from the crime alert. The individual was detained and transported to Bayview Station for further investigation. Based on evidence gathered, investigators arrested John Schenone as the person responsible for the above incidents. Schenone, 62 years old, San Francisco resident, was arrested booked at County Jail for 5 counts of 422.6(b)(c) PC – felony Hate Crime, and 5 counts of 594(b)(1) PC – felony Vandalism. Schenone’s booking photo is attached.

The San Francisco Police Department would like the thank the public for their assistance in this investigation. Although an arrest has been made, anyone with additional information or video is encouraged to contact the Special Investigations Division Hate Crime Unit at (415) 553-1133, the SFPD Anonymous Tip Line at (415) 575-4444, or Text A Tip to TIP411 and include “SFPD” at the beginning of the message.