San Francisco, CA – Today, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced that Josef Atchan (28), has been charged with multiple felonies in connection to an auto burglary in the Richmond District. Mr. Atchan was arraigned on January 14, 2025, and pleaded not guilty to all charges and denied all allegations. He is charged with one count of second-degree auto burglary (PC 459), one count of unlawful entry on a vehicle (PC 465(a)), two counts of hit-and-run driving (VC 20002(a)), one count of being an unlicensed driver (VC 12500(a)), possession of burglar tools (PC 466), one count of resisting, obstructing, or delaying a peace officer (PC 148(a)(1)) and one count of receiving or buying stolen property (PC 496(a)). This is the first case that the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office has filed for unlawful entry of a vehicle since the implementation of SB 905 on January 1, 2025.
“I would like to thank the San Francisco Police Department for making a quick arrest in this case and demonstrating the city’s resolve and ability to identify and arrest brazen auto-burglars,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “My office has been working closely with law enforcement to address rampant auto-burglary and now thanks to Senator Wiener’s leadership and the passage of SB 905 we have new tools available in the courtroom to hold perpetrators accountable. SB 905 closed the locked door loophole giving prosecutors and victims an important new tool in the fight against auto-burglars.”
The criminal complaint alleges that Mr. Atchan burglarized a rental car on January 10, 2025. The criminal complaint also alleges that he hit two vehicles, including a UPS truck, on that day and fled each time. The complaint also alleges that at the time of his arrest, Mr. Atchan was not licensed to drive and had burglar tools and stolen property. Lastly, the complaint alleges that he resisted San Francisco Police attempting to take him into custody.
Mr. Atchan’s next court date is January 28, 2025, for the preliminary hearing in this matter. The court released Mr. Atchan pending trial and ordered that he must report to case management five times per week, including three in person. He is also mandated into drug treatment and ordered not to drive without a valid license.
Although charges have been filed, this remains an active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the San Francisco Police Department Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. You may remain anonymous.
Court Number: 25000730