Suspects arrested after recruits stop smash-and-grab at Diesel

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The San Francisco Police Department recruits were on their way to the annual Bay to Breakers footrace on Sunday, when they suddenly got a chance to put their new skills to use.

The recruits still have 12 weeks left at the academy before they graduate, but that didn't stop them from stopping a smash-and-grab burglary at a Diesel store on Market Street.

"It just shows that they're paying attention and their training is kicking in and they're preparing themselves to go on the streets," San Francisco Ofc. Mathew Neves said.

The 244th recruit class is made up of 38 men and women who are now in their 20th week at the academy.

On Sunday morning, they put their training to work during the Bay to Breakers footrace after they witnessed suspects smashing a window at a Diesel store.

They were on a chartered bus on their way to help with traffic control. "A gentleman in the store was using a hammer to break some display cases," one man said.

One officer said the man was putting the merchandise in a bag.

There were five regular officers along with their teachers on the bus with the recruits when they witnessed the burglary. One of the recruits said they all jumped out of the bus to apprehend the suspects.

The recruits were beaming with pride. "The hands on viewing of live activity was really good. It just made me happy that we could, you know show them what we're made of," one man said.

Police arrested two suspects.

The manager of the Diesel thanked the recruits and said if it wasn't for their keen eyes and alertness, the store would've lost a lot of merchandise.