The storefront of a pet grooming store in the LGBTQ Castro neighborhood was damaged after it was hit by a car, according to the San Francisco Police Department.
Mudpuppy's earlier this year had expanded its operations into the retail space at 536 Castro Street. On August 11 a man allegedly hit that portion of its storefront and was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI, police told the Bay Area Reporter.
SFPD spokesperson Kwanjai Laokwansathitaya stated that Mission Station officers "were patrolling the 500 block of Castro Street when they observed a vehicle driving recklessly. The vehicle collided into an unoccupied parked vehicle and into a building, causing damage to both. When officers attempted to contact the driver, the driver continued driving and then came to a rest on the 2300 block of Market Street, where officers detained the driver of the vehicle."
Hector Ortiz, 37 of San Francisco, was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI with injury, misdemeanor DUI, felony hit-and-run, reckless driving, driving without a license and driving left-of-the-center, Laokwansathitaya stated.
Officers summoned medics for Ortiz and his passenger, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries, Laokwansathitaya stated.
"No one else was injured during the incident," Laokwansathitaya continued. "Ortiz was then transported to a local hospital and the passenger was released at the scene."
The B.A.R. reached out to Mudpuppy's August 14. A person who answered the phone stated that a co-owner would be in touch but, as of press time, this has not happened. As of Monday afternoon, Mudpuppy's west-facing window had been completely boarded up.
Anyone with further information is asked to contact the police tip line at 1-415-575-4444, or text TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. Tipsters may remain anonymous.
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