Felons, firearms and fireworks: SFPD traffic stops in Bayview uncover flagrant lawbreaking to little fanfare
Two traffic enforcement stops for seemingly trivial violations in San Francisco’s Bayview district this month turned-up a breathtaking haul of firearms and drugs. The discoveries highlight the crucial role proactive policing plays in addressing serious violent crime committed by repeat violent felons.
The first episode occurred on the evening of June 4 2024 when SFPD officers were concerned to see a van being driven near the intersection of 3rd Street and Quesada Avenue with expired registration.
During the ensuing traffic stop, say prosecutors, police found evidence of drug sales in the vehicle, including more than three kilograms of marijuana, multiple cellphones and scales.
A subsequent search revealed that the driver, 29-year-old Demarria Conley, had a loaded Glock 9mm pistol in his waistband. In the van, officers found another loaded Glock pistol hidden under a backpack. Further inspection of the backpack uncovered yet another loaded Glock, equipped with a 30-round magazine.
Conley, who has six previous felony convictions, has pleaded ‘not guilty’ to 11 new felony firearms charges and three misdemeanor drugs charges. He is presently in custody and will next appear in Department 11 of San Francisco Superior Court on July 2.
Just after midnight on June 19 SFPD officers noticed an Audi SUV illegally parked at the intersection of 3rd Street and Newcomb Avenue, also in San Francisco’s Bayview neighborhood.
Discovering that the Audi’s registration was expired, police asked the driver, Maurice Allen, to exit the vehicle. Officers then quickly discovered a loaded FN 5.7 semi-automatic pistol and attempted to put Allen in handcuffs at which point he attempted to run away before being apprehended.
Elsewhere in the SUV police found a remarkable quantity – some 196 pounds – of illegal fireworks along with a more modest quarter kilo of marijuana.
Allen, 40, who prosecutors say has convictions for “violent and serious felonies,” faces seven new felony charges, and one misdemeanor, to which he has pleaded ‘not guilty’.
Superior Court Judge Murlene Randle refused to release the defendant prior to arraignment and set bail at $100,000. He will next appear in Department 12 of San Francisco Superior Court on June 28 where his motion for release and/or bail reduction will be heard.
Although these are instances where proactive policing appears to have produced significant public safety benefits for San Franciscans, and Bayview residents in particular, neither incident was publicized by authorities.
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