Arrest made in SF Eagle burglary

  • by John Ferrannini, Assistant Editor
  • Friday November 22, 2024
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Surveillance video from the SF Eagle showed two people carrying an item after midnight November 18. Image: From SF Eagle
Surveillance video from the SF Eagle showed two people carrying an item after midnight November 18. Image: From SF Eagle

An arrest has been made in the burglary of a San Francisco South of Market LGBTQ bar earlier this week, and it was apparently an inside job. One other person allegedly involved in the incident remains at large.

The SF Eagle, at 398 12th Street, lost some $30,000 in damaged and stolen goods, including cash, early November 18, as the B.A.R. reported earlier this week.

A spokesperson told the B.A.R. November 22 that "the individual arrested has ties to a member of the cleaning crew" though "the degree of relationship is not 100% known."

The San Francisco Police Department confirmed the same day that Lucas Molina-Hernandez, 31, was arrested on suspicion of burglary and grand theft in the case and that another suspect is still at large.

"A reported stolen vehicle was also determined to be used in the burglary," according to a news release November 22. "On Monday November 19, 2024, at approximately 1:05 p.m., a department-wide email was sent out by investigators regarding the suspect vehicle involved in the burglary. At approximately 7:07 p.m., officers from Bayview station were patrolling the area of 3rd and Revere Avenue when they observed the suspect vehicle park near the intersection of 3rd and Quesada Ave."

The Crime Gun Investigation Center coordinated a plan to conduct a felony stop of the vehicle, according to the news release, which led to Molina-Hernandez (who was driving it) being arrested. He was also charged on suspicion of receiving stolen property and driving the stolen vehicle.

Public records indicate Molina-Hernandez is not in San Francisco County jails and has not been formally charged in the matter by press time November 22. The San Francisco District Attorney's office has not returned a request for comment as to whether it will charge Molina-Hernandez.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe has raised $23,500 of a $30,000 goal. The GoFundMe was set up "to cover payroll expenses for our 30+ staff members, replenish bar supplies, and conduct emergency repairs so that we can reopen safely as soon as possible," it states.

The Eagle has, through various events, helped 50 local LGBTQ nonprofits raise $80,000 this year alone, a news release earlier this week stated.

"With a Sunday Beer Bust fundraiser scheduled for this weekend, we are prioritizing rebuilding so that we can support our queer nonprofits who rely on the SF Eagle Bar to host vital fundraising events," the GoFundMe page continues.

SFPD Public Information Officer Paulina Henderson stated earlier this week that officers responded to the bar at 4:19 a.m. Monday.

"Officers arrived on scene and contacted the reporting victim," Henderson stated. "Officers were advised that two unknown male suspects entered the business and burglarized the property. It was reported that the suspects stole store merchandise, and a safe containing U.S. currency."

The B.A.R. reported October 9 that businesses in the SOMA neighborhood had been battling burglary, break-ins, and attempted break-ins over the past few months. The incidents have prompted speculation that they are from the same or related groups of organized thieves.

Targeted businesses included DECANTsf, Oasis, the Stud, Powerhouse, and Mars bar.

Lex Montiel, a gay man who owns the SF Eagle, had previously stated that the burglary has shaken his employees' sense of safety.

"Our workers rely on the bar for their livelihood," Montiel stated. "This burglary affects not only the SF Eagle but also the people who make it a cornerstone of our community."

Anyone with further information is asked to contact the SFPD at (415) 575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD.

Updated, 11/22/24: This article has been updated with information from SFPD.

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