Phil Tong, Sheriff's Deputy, Arrested on Suspicion of Bank Robbery

SF Weekly ^ | Fri., Nov. 16 2012 | Erin Sherbert

[nickcarraway]

A San Francisco sheriff's deputy was hauled to his own county jail this morning after authorities identified him on a surveillance camera as the suspect who allegedly robbed a local Bank of America.

Officer Albie Esparza tells us that on Nov. 7 about 4:50 p.m., Deputy Phil Tong, 36, allegedly walked into the Bank of America at 3701 Balboa St., handed the teller a note that said he had a gun, and demanded cash. He fled with $1,700 and was last seen on Balboa Street headed toward 39th Avenue.

Police say they recognized him on the surveillance camera holding a stack of cash. In addition, police obtained the demand note that was used, and fond Tong's fingerprints on it, according to the District Attorney's Office. Tong was arrested today on the 400 block of Seventh Street, Esparza said.

"San Franciscans expect the men and women in uniform to uphold the laws and protect our residents, said District Attorney George Gascón. "Mr. Tong's conduct is deplorable and will be met with serious consequences."

Tong's bail was set at $150,000, Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Susan Fahey told us.

[nickcarraway]

[Gay State Conservative]

I'll bet the red ink on his face and the “San Fransisco Sheriff’s Dept” cap were what gave him away.

[krb]

What the heck?

[Gator113]

What a idiot. His time is not going to be fun.

[Revolting cat!]

Times are hard for everybody.

[USNBandit]

What ever happened to shaking down drug dealers and running protection rackets?

[Clay Moore]

Desperate Times

Charlie Robison

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aj35Z-wGFf4

[Dr. Pritchett]

Is that still illegal in SF?!?

[HiTech RedNeck]

deplorable? but not unacceptable?

[Frank_2001]

Time? What time? The union will lawyer him up and claim PTSD, or bipolar disorder...he’ll be suspended, treated and have a job as a bank security guard in six months/s;)

[Revolting cat!]

Great!

[Gator113]

I almost missed that “s”. ;>)

[Revolting cat!]

Bad luck.

[tflabo]

SOPM——Stealing Other Peoples Money. Tong is small potatoes compared to the empty suits who get away with it daily and on a grande scale.

[Terry Mross]

Apparently he left the note at the bank and his finger prints were on it. Not a very smart guy. And these people carry guns.

They shoot dogs, too.

[rednesss]

This is impossible, cops are perfect, they never break the law, not guilty. They should give him a raise.

[Alaska Wolf]

, cops are perfect

They are human just like clergymen, military personnel, teachers, medical professionals, tradesmen and politicians.

[Right Wing Assault]

His defense will be that he was really conducting personal research into the procedures used by banks during holdups but he forgot to get the OK from the Sheriff. Just a misunderstanding.

And if he’s gay, then everyone is a homophobe.

[Christie at the beach]

Hey, sometimes when a vicious dog is coming after a civilian or a police officer; they have to be put down. I don't think they have sleep darts in hand which take 10 minutes to work...or pepper spray.. All cops are not bad who carry guns. Thank the Lord for police officers. This one will get his conviction and locked away. Many of the SPCA groups put down more dogs that you could ever image.

[mdmathis6]

Seems too pat...I wonder if they’re trying to get him into the prison system for some undercover work.