Happy Donuts at 24th and Church streets in San Francisco was held up in an armed robbery on Oct. 2, 2023.
| Source: George Kelly/The Standard
Police have arrested two men in connection with a series of armed robberies targeting businesses in and around San Francisco's Mission District—including a brazen robbery of Happy Donuts in Noe Valley on Oct. 2.
Jacquez Tucker, 32, and Lloyd Gage, 33, both of San Francisco, were taken into custody on Oct. 4 following a police surveillance operation. Investigators believe the pair were responsible for three robberies between Sept. 26 and Oct. 4.
Police said the robberies happened in the early morning hours at businesses in and around the Mission District. In each case, the suspects took over the businesses at gunpoint, forced victims onto the floor and into back rooms, and stole cash, merchandise and in two cases, ATMs. Victims were pistol-whipped in two of the robberies.
The San Francisco Police Department confirmed the robberies happened at 24th Street (Happy Donuts), Bryant Street between 19th and 20th streets, and Mission Street between 16th and 17th streets.
Happy Donuts owner Ratha Vann prepares fresh doughnuts for glazing in her kitchen as a worker readies a batch of batter for cooking. | Source: George Kelly/The Standard
Happy Donuts staff told The Standard Tuesday officers informed workers they had caught the men they believe to be the robbers. The suspects emptied the shop's baker's pockets and made off with the store's ATM, staff said. San Franciscans supported the business in droves on Oct. 4.
Julian Weisser greeted visitors to Happy Donuts for an hour Wednesday with an offer to pay for customers' doughnuts. | Source: George Kelly/The Standard
Plainclothes officers apprehended Tucker and Gage near Silver and San Bruno avenues after observing them in a vehicle used during the robberies. Gage was wearing the same clothing seen in the earlier holdups and had the same short-barreled rifle used in the crimes, police said.
A search of Tucker's home turned up clothes, shoes and two pistols matching those used in the robberies, along with stolen merchandise, police reported.
San Francisco police believe this gun was used in a string of armed robberies around the Mission District. | Source: Courtesy SFPD
Tucker and Gage were booked into San Francisco County Jail on suspicion of robbery, kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy and weapons charges.
Tucker was charged with being a getaway driver in connection with a 2009 shooting incident outside a Potrero Hill high school, according to SFGATE and court records.
Investigators said the cases remain open and asked anyone with information to call the anonymous tip line at 415-575-4444.
