San Francisco street robbery left Indian visitor unconscious with bleeding brain and broken jaw
A vagrant accused of violently robbing an Indian visitor to San Francisco, whose pummeling left his victim unconscious on the sidewalk with a bleeding brain and broken jaw, will appear for a preliminary hearing this afternoon at the city’s Hall of Justice.
Prosecutors say Jose Collazo-Ochoa, 32, launched his attack at around 6am on August 15. The victim was enjoying a morning stroll on Market Street near the Warfield Theatre, heading back to the Hilton Hotel, when Ochoa came up from behind and cold-cocked him with a punch to the head.
The man immediately dropped to the ground and, while he was unconscious, Collazo-Ochoa is said to have stolen his iPhone and wallet before making his escape.
The injured man, whose head was “bleeding profusely” did not regain consciousness for six minutes. He was transported to Zuckerberg General Hospital where he was diagnosed with a fractured jaw and a bleeding brain.
Collazo-Ochoa was arrested two hours later on 6th Street. He was found with some of his just-robbed victim’s belongings, including foreign currency, along with suspected fentanyl, nitrous oxide and marijuana.
He was on the streets having been released from San Francisco jail two weeks earlier by Superior Court Judge Simon Frankel in a felony drug dealing case.
He is on probation in Stanislaus County for domestic violence has an open DUI case in Alameda County.
The victim, who has since left hospital and returned to India, has assured prosecutors that he will travel back to the country to give evidence in Collazo-Ochoa’s trial.
“San Francisco is back on the map in a big way.”
Mayor Daniel Lurie
The case – but the latest in a litany of street attacks on tourists, convention goers, business people and residents – puts in perspective claims that the city has solved its public safety problems.
“San Francisco is back on the map in a big way,” Mayor Daniel Lurie boldly announced last month.
“This year, we’re projected to welcome 23.5 million visitors, with spending reaching $9.35 billion. Tourism and conventions are on the rise again, bringing new energy to our streets, restaurants, and cultural attractions.”
Collazo-Ochoa, who earlier pleaded not guilty to second degree robbery, remains in custody.
The case continues.
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