A San Francisco burglary crew allegedly tried every trick in the book to evade police, but a drone was watching from above.
The suspects allegedly swapped their getaway car’s license plate and disguised two members as construction workers before breaking into a large home under construction, according to police.
The suspects were identified as Tiffany Riley, 39, of Richmond; Steven Bucther, 38, of Martinez; and Ndaya Green, 25, of Oakland.
The case began July 29, when the San Francisco Police Department’s Real Time Investigation Center spotted a maroon Kia SUV entering the city from the East Bay.
Police said the vehicle had been used in multiple previous auto and residential burglaries.
Investigators quickly launched a drone and alerted undercover officers on the ground.
The surveillance video captured the suspects allegedly changing tactics as police closed in.
The Kia was involved in a hit-and-run, then the driver stopped and switched the vehicle’s license plates, police said.
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Plainclothes officers continued tracking the SUV as it appeared to scout buildings under construction.
The crew then allegedly tried a new disguise.
After the Kia stopped at Green and Divisadero streets, two passengers got out and put on high-visibility construction vests.
They allegedly used the getup to blend in while burglarizing a large home under construction.
The driver waited in the Kia.
Police moved in as the two suspects came back outside.
“As the two suspects exited the building, several officers moved in and quickly placed them under arrest. The third suspect drove off, colliding with an SFPD vehicle. The drone continued to follow the vehicle as it fled into the Central District. The driver parked the car near Aquatic Park and attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended,” SFPD wrote.
The three suspects were booked into jail on suspicion of burglary, conspiracy, possession of burglary tools, resisting arrest, evading law enforcement and drug charges.
The SFPD released the drone footage Tuesday, showing how the alleged burglary crew’s elaborate attempt to outsmart police ultimately came crashing down.
