San Francisco Native Jesse Hunt Shows Bravery in Foiling Robbery and Apprehending Suspect

December 15, 2021

By Betty Yu

San Francisco native Jesse Hunt, an employee at Zoom, demonstrated extraordinary bravery when he intervened in a dangerous situation while walking home in the Marina district on December 15. Hunt’s intervention prevented a car theft and potentially saved an elderly victim’s life.

The incident took place outside Marina Middle School when Hunt and his friend, Madison, heard cries for help. They witnessed an elderly person engaged in a physical altercation with a knife-wielding would-be car thief. Hunt immediately assessed the situation and decided to take action.

“I hear somebody yelling out ‘I need help, I’m being robbed, been stabbed, this guy’s trying to take my car,'” said Hunt. “Kind of looked at my friend Madison and we look over and there’s a guy in a scuffle with another guy.”

Without hesitation, Hunt shouted at the suspect, demanding him to drop the knife. This unexpected confrontation caused the attacker to flee on Chestnut Street. Hunt, determined to apprehend the criminal, gave chase.

“As I was running up to him on the fence, he jumped off and pulled the knife out at me,” Hunt recounted. “Then I backed off, and then he started zig-zagging. At that point, I was kind of like, this is my one chance to take the guy down.”

Hunt’s year-long kickboxing training came into play as he delivered a powerful kick to the suspect’s back, effectively disabling him. However, the suspect then produced a second knife. Nonetheless, Hunt managed to retrieve the victim’s stolen car keys.

The pursuit continued, leading the group through a section of the San Francisco Public Library. Fortunately, additional assistance arrived, including an off-duty federal officer and two other witnesses. Although the officer was armed, he did not resort to using his weapon. Together, they successfully detained the suspect until the San Francisco Police arrived at Bay and Webster Streets.

“One theme that I would love for people to take away from this is that stuff is going to happen in any city, but we can take it upon ourselves to jump in and take action when you see something going down,” Hunt emphasized.

The suspect, identified as 35-year-old Mohamed Jafaripour, was taken into custody. He had an active warrant out of San Francisco and faced multiple charges, including burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, vandalism, and unlawful possession of tear gas.

“I think it was just a snap decision that worked out. I do recognize that he could have had a gun. Turns out he had tear gas on him. I got a little lucky, but I think a lot of other people would have done something,” Hunt reflected.

Both the victim and the suspect were transported to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries resulting from the altercation, according to the San Francisco Police Department.

A Hero’s Actions

Jesse Hunt’s heroic actions serve as a reminder that ordinary individuals can make a difference in their communities. His quick thinking, bravery, and physical skills enabled him to protect an innocent victim and prevent a potentially dangerous situation from escalating further.

The Importance of Community Involvement

Hunt’s story highlights the significance of community involvement and the responsibility we all share in ensuring the safety and well-being of others. By actively engaging in our surroundings and taking action when we see wrongdoing, we can collectively create a safer environment for everyone.

Reflections on the Incident

Jesse Hunt’s actions were undoubtedly courageous, but he remains humble about his role in the incident. His reflections highlight the unpredictable nature of such situations and the importance of considering potential risks before taking action.

“I think it was just a snap decision that worked out. I do recognize that he could have had a gun. Turns out he had tear gas on him. I got a little lucky, but I think a lot of other people would have done something,” Hunt acknowledged.

Hunt’s story serves as an inspiration to others, showing that even in the face of danger, ordinary individuals can step up and make a difference.

Conclusion

Jesse Hunt’s bravery and selflessness in the face of danger demonstrate the power of individual actions in creating safer communities. His intervention prevented a robbery and protected an elderly victim from harm. Hunt’s story serves as a reminder that we all have the ability to make a positive impact, and it is up to us to take action when we see injustice.

Betty Yu

Betty Yu joined KPIX 5 in November 2013 as a general assignment reporter. She spent two years at WTVJ, the NBC-owned station in Miami, as a reporter before moving to San Francisco.