I was driving up Larkin on Saturday around 2:30PM when several squad cars were heading into opposing traffic to corral this taxi full of young guys- like illegally full. I think it’s this robbery spree reported in this week’s blotter. Just imagine- nothing on TV, let’s grab some dough down in the Tenderloin. Oh, and get in a cab to escape. Which happened again this week- some criminals did some nasty stuff then, yes, got in the taxi line at the Hilton on Kearny. Don’t they know it’s impossible to get a cab in this town? Actually, kind of amazed in both instances that they did get one. Police details after the jump.

June 28 at high noon six juveniles descended upon the Central district and embarked on a robbery spree that struck several businesses. The suspects ran into several businesses where they overpowered the merchants and stole several hundred dollars in cash and merchandise.

Sergeants Steve Roche and Ed Garcia, along with officers Tong, McLaughlin, Koltzoff, Payne, Godfrey, DeLeon, Flores and Fong blanketed the area and were able to corral the young thieves. Six suspects were charged with criminal conspiracy, robbery and burglary.

And second “taxi getaway” story this week:

On June 26 a citizen saw two men break into a car that was parked at Montgomery and Pacific. The citizen followed the two suspects to the Hilton Hotel on Kearny Street where they entered a taxi in preparation for their get-away. The witness pulled his personal vehicle in front of the cab, thwarting the suspect’s escape. Officer Carl Payne saw the suspects entering the cab and immediately took them into custody.

Officer Kim Koltzoff and Sergeant Ed Garcia arrived and assisted Officer Payne. Officer Koltzoff searched the taxi cab and recovered the laptop computer and backpack that were taken out of the boosted automobile by the suspects. The main suspect was booked at Central Station for burglary of an auto.