SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – A jury has found a 43-year-old man guilty of a “violent” cell phone robbery in May 2024 in which he followed a woman to the Civic Center BART station, attacked her, and covered up her screams as she tried to call for help.
Prosecutors announced Tuesday that Rolondo Christopher Claiborne was found guilty of second-degree burglary in the May 8, 2024, incident, according to the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office. Claiborne remains in custody and awaits sentencing following a arraignment on November 5, “relating to aggravating factors and allegations of prior conviction.”
“Mr. Claiborne followed the victim to the BART train station through the entrance to UN Plaza,” the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office said in a news release. “While the victim was waiting on her train platform, Mr. Claiborne took her phone. Two minutes later, the victim saw Mr. Claiborne and attempted to retrieve her phone. Mr. Claiborne attacked the victim, striking her with punches and kicks, and at one point covering her mouth so she could not scream for help.”
Claiborne faces up to 15 years in state prison.
“Every day people depend on public transportation to help them travel throughout the Bay Area and they have a right to be safe in these places,” said DA Brooke Jenkins. “My office will continue to work hard to ensure that anyone who commits a crime on our buses or train systems is held accountable.”