![]() ![]() Hobbs has faced charges in six other cases in San Francisco dating back to 2017, accused of crimes including trespassing, false imprisonment and battery. He was charged with misdemeanor child molestation and battery and spent a few months in jail before Superior Court Judge Russell Roeca dismissed the case “in the interest of justice,” wiping clear Hobbs’ record and an order to stay away from the teenager. In December 2020, he allegedly followed and grabbed a 15-year-old in West Portal. Hobbs’ history of avoiding consequences in San Francisco spans years. Hobbs has a significant criminal record, with numerous past arrests in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Kern and Ventura counties and convictions for crimes including drunken driving, driving on a suspended license, theft and being under the influence of drugs.īill Gene Hobbs near Marina Middle School on March 17. Hobbs did not return phone messages left for him on Thursday and Friday. The Chronicle has not been able to verify that Hobbs was involved in each of the complaints about him on social media in recent weeks, but in a phone interview last month, he admitted he approaches women he finds attractive - while asserting that he never gets physical. About a dozen women have shared stories in this column about frightening encounters with a man they believe is Hobbs, who stands 6-feet-4 inches, weighs 210 pounds, sports a buzz cut and has tattoos all over his body including the letters E-V-I-L inked on his fingers.Ĭountless more women have said on NextDoor and Facebook that he harassed them too. “Do they expect every woman in this city to walk around with a GoPro strapped to their head?” “I don’t know what else I could have done,” she said. Until I told Ann, she was unaware that her quick actions, cooperation with police, photos of the assailant and the witness’ account hadn’t been enough to charge Hobbs. June 25 on suspicion of misdemeanor battery for allegedly grabbing Ann, but the office of District Attorney Brooke Jenkins discharged the case on July 13 for lack of evidence, though it could be revived. Those terrifying minutes in the park changed her life. “I was truly just a piece of prey to this man, and I’ve never been so scared in my entire life,” said Ann, who asked that The Chronicle identify her by her middle name because she fears for her safety.Īfter the encounter, she said she got a guard dog, installed more locks on her door, bought pepper spray and saw a therapist. Buy pepper spray, hustle along and hope for the best. So far, the city’s criminal justice system seems to be sending Ann and the other women a clear message: You’re on your own. ![]() More than three months after police arrested Bill Gene Hobbs, 33, that evening in Golden Gate Park - and weeks after at least six women filed similar police reports about Hobbs chasing, grabbing and even forcibly kissing them - he remains on the streets free of consequences, spotted Wednesday in Cow Hollow and Thursday in the Marina. And not in a city where misdemeanor crimes are rarely prosecuted. ![]() Not in a city where scary, threatening behavior may be deemed OK as long as nobody suffers serious physical injuries. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |