San Francisco, CA – Pollano (27) of San Francisco, after a trial by jury. Mr. Pollano was convicted of kidnapping (PC 207); domestic violence (PC 273.5); criminal threats (PC 422); assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury (PC 245(a)(4); two counts of witness dissuasion (PC 136.1); and two counts of simple assault (PC 240). Mr. Pollano kidnapped his wife at gunpoint, threatened to kill her, and committed several assaults on her before she was able to escape.
“I would like to thank the jury for their service,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “Mr. Pollano is now being held accountable and will face consequences for his abhorrent crimes. “I applaud the survivor for her courage in coming forward and hope this verdict brings her some closure as continues to heal from these horrific events.”
According to testimony and other evidence presented at trial, Mr. Pollano forced his wife into a car at gunpoint and made threats to kill her and dump her body in the bay at an East Bay waterfront park in Albany, CA. When they arrived at the park, she was able to escape the car and run towards another car for help. Two young women from Berkeley stopped to help and she jumped in the back of their car. However, Mr. Pollano jumped into the car and attempted to pull her out. The young women tried to call 911, but Mr. Pollano took away their cellphones. Mr. Pollano then took his wife out of the car and dragged her on the street back to their car where he continued to assault her. She testified at trial that after the beating she perceived what she believed to be remorse from her husband. Playing into that remorse, she attempted to placate Mr. Pollano by showing affection and with promises of not contacting the authorities. She was able to convince Mr. Pollano to take her back home. At home she took further steps to placate Mr. Pollano by calling the police and lying about what occurred at the park. Eventually, she was able to get Mr. Pollano to leave her home and she woke her father who took her to the hospital. She was beaten so badly she suffered head trauma and scrapes and contusions all over her body. Doctors also had to remove one of her earrings that had been forced down her ear canal as a result of the beating.
The case against Mr. Pollano was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Rick Hullinger with support and assistance from University of Virginia School of Law student Samuel Bennett, victim advocate Alma Garcia, the domestic violence paralegal team, District Attorney Inspectors Rosanna Figueroa and Tim Louie, and Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Wagner. This case was investigated by the San Francisco Police Department’s Special Victims Unit.
“I would also like to thank the jury for their work in this case,” said Assistant District Attorney Rick Hullinger. “The survivor in this case showed remarkable courage, intelligence, and resourcefulness to escape her abuser and survive a terrifying ordeal. She showed further courage in coming to trial to confront her abuser. I believe her actions were heroic and I feel privileged to have met her.”
Mr. Pollano is currently in custody pending sentencing. He faces up to 29 years in state prison. There is a hearing to set the sentencing hearing on January 16, 2024.
If you or a loved one is in need of support, please seek help. In an emergency, call 9-1-1 for help.
Below are some resources for support:
• Cooperative Restraining Order Clinic (CROC) 415.969.6711
• National Domestic Violence Hotline (text) START to 88788 or call 800.799.7233
• WOMAN, Inc 24/7 Support Line, 877.384.3578
• Asian Women’s Shelter 24/7 crisis line, 877.751.0880
• La Casa De Las Madres Crisis text, 415.200.3575
• San Francisco Women Against Rape 415.647.7273
• Rape Trauma Services 650.692.7276
• Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) 800.656.4673
• A Women’s Place 415.487.2140
• Mission Neighborhood Resource Center 415.869.7977
Court Number: 22001523
###