San Francisco, CA –

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced today that her office secured a conviction of Jason Gresham (48), after a trial by jury for carjacking an Uber driver in Fisherman’s Wharf. Mr. Gresham was convicted of carjacking (PC 215(a)) and one count of evading a police officer (VC 2800.1(a)(a)(2)) and giving false information to a police officer (PC 148.9(a)).

“I would like to thank the jury for their service in this trial,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “I would also like to thank the San Francisco Police and California Highway Patrol for their efforts to safely apprehend Mr. Gresham. My office will do everything we can to ensure there is justice in each case and will work with law enforcement agencies at all levels and across county lines to protect the safety of the public.”

According to evidence and other testimony presented at trial in the early morning hours of January 21, 2024, Mr. Gresham approached the victim, an Uber driver, who was waiting at a hotel in Fisherman’s Wharf for a scheduled ride to the airport. Mr. Gresham opened the passenger side door of the victim’s car, leaned his body inside and demanded a ride from the victim. When the victim refused, he showed the victim a shiny, pointed object and demanded the victim leave the vehicle or he would “hit” the victim. The victim promptly exited the vehicle and Mr. Gresham climbed over the center console, got into the driver’s seat and fled the scene heading towards the Bay Bridge where SFPD Officers saw the vehicle (described in the victim’s 911 call) getting on an on-ramp. Once SFPD confirmed the license plate they activated their lights and sirens and attempted to conduct a vehicle stop, but Mr. Gresham did not yield to their commands and continued going east on Interstate 80. Eventually the California Highway Patrol from Oakland took over the pursuit and Mr. Gresham again failed to yield to the CHP’s commands to pull over. He drove for approximately 40 minutes travelling at speeds between 65 – 90 miles per hour while evading law enforcement, eventually stopping in a dead-end parking lot in Vallejo. Once officers detained Mr. Gresham, he provided a false name and a false date of birth.

The case against Mr. Gresham was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Abigail Adams, with assistance from District Attorney Investigator Rochelle Bledsoe, paralegal Rayna Bryan and IT support from Leland Chan, Noaeh Pinaire. Prosecutors were able to develop a strong case against Mr. Gresham based on the careful investigation of the San Francisco Police Department and the actions of the California Highway Patrol Oakland Division.

“This verdict sends the message that voluntarily becoming intoxicated is not an excuse for committing violent and dangerous crimes,” said Assistant District Attorney Abigail Adams. “I commend the victim for overcoming his continued fear as a result of this incident and for testifying in this case. I also am grateful to the jury for carefully comparing the two differing stories presented at trial and analyzing all the evidence in the case to reach a just verdict.”

Mr. Gresham is currently in custody. Sentencing will be scheduled after a bench trial on aggravating factors scheduled for December 4, 2024.

Court Number: 24001190