A San Francisco man has been arrested by police after he allegedly slashed a victim in the face on Wednesday during an encounter near Union Square where the criminal tried to take money from the man.
Police officers with the San Francisco Ingleside Station took 38-year-old Ryan Baker into custody later after the attack. A witness who saw the incident quickly called 911 and reported the crime.
Slash to the Face
Officers arrived at Alemany Boulevard and Justin Drive at around 7:35 p.m. Police said Baker had no listed address when he was arrested peacefully. Police said there were reports of an assault at the 200 block of Powell Street.
When police got to the area, they discovered a 34-year-old man with a large knife slash on his face. They quickly took him to the hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The San Francisco Police Department said that while the victim’s life was not at stake, the damage to his face was significant.
Several witnesses told police officers they saw the suspect approach the victim and demand his money. When the man replied that he did not have any cash on him, the criminal started yelling and quickly got out a knife, slashing the victim’s face before quickly fleeing the scene.
At the time of the crime, Baker was seen wearing blue jeans and a light gray zip-up hoodie with “southpole” written on the forward part and the number 21 underneath. He was also seen with a blue T-shirt and white or grayish slip-on shoes while wearing a backpack.
Police released photographs of the suspect in hopes that someone would identify him and help them make an arrest. Later, one resident saw the picture and recognized the suspect, and immediately called officers, KTVU reported.
Authorities booked Baker into the San Francisco County jail on charges of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, battery, aggravated mayhem, a bodily injury enhancement, and a parole violation.
