On Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at approximately 5:30 p.m., San Francisco Police officers from Ingleside Station responded to a residence located in the Bernal Heights neighborhood regarding a report of a home invasion burglary. Officers arrived on scene and located an adult female victim who said she was home alone when an unknown male suspect entered her home and physically restrained her, which caused injuries. The suspect demanded money from the victim, brandished a weapon, and threatened further harm if she did not cooperate. The victim complied with the suspect’s demands, which allowed him to transfer nearly 3 million dollars out of her account. The suspect also stole the victim’s cellular phones before fleeing the home.
Investigators from the SFPD Burglary Unit responded to the scene and assumed lead in the investigation. Through the course of the investigation, the suspect was identified as 30-year-old, Los Angeles resident, Tianze Zhang. Investigators developed information that Zhang fled the United States shortly after the burglary.
A warrant for Zhang’s arrest was issued by a San Francisco County Superior Court judge. SFPD investigators immediately began working with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and international law enforcement agencies to locate and apprehend Zhang. On Monday, May 30, 2022, after several weeks of following leads and communicating with multiple law enforcement agencies, Mr. Zhang was located and detained in Taiwan.
Members of the SFPD Burglary Unit traveled to Taipei, Taiwan, and escorted Zhang back to San Francisco. Zhang was immediately transported to San Francisco County Jail where he was booked on his warrant for felony burglary (459 PC, 1st Degree), felony kidnapping for robbery (209(a) PC), and felony terrorist threats (422 PC).
While an arrest has been made this remains an open and active investigation. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the SFPD Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. You may remain anonymous.
SFPD Incident # 220175213