SAN FRANCISCO—On Monday, November 6, the SF District Attorney’s Office reported that Martin Cerda, 35, of San Francisco was charged in connection to an auto theft. Cerda was arraigned on November 3, and pled not guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a felon (PC 29800(a)(1)), one count of carrying a loaded weapon (PC 25850(a)), one count of carrying a concealed firearm (PC 25400(a)(2)), one count of possession of ammunition (PC 30305(a)(1)), unlawful driving or taking a vehicle (VC 10851(a)), receiving stolen property – motor vehicle (PC 496d(a)) and possession of burglar tools (PC 466).
The SFDA’s Office indicated that Cerda denied all allegations in the criminal complaint, including that he was a felon previously convicted for auto theft, second-degree burglary, grand theft, and possession for sale of a controlled substance.
“I would like to thank the San Francisco Police for their work to apprehend Mr. Cerda,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “My office will do everything in our power to hold Mr. Cerda accountable for these crimes.”
The defendant was arrested by the San Francisco Police Department on November 1, on suspicion of driving a car that had been reported stolen to break into a parked car. He is alleged to have been arrested with a loaded semi-automatic pistol, that had been reported stolen, and in possession of other stolen property in the vehicle.
Cerda is currently in custody and his next court date is November 17, for the preliminary hearing in this matter. The District Attorney’s Office moved to detain him pending trial because of the public safety risk he poses. The court granted the motion without prejudice. The court will hear further arguments on the motion to detain at the time of the preliminary hearing in this case. If convicted of all charges he faces up to four years and eight months in state prison.
The case is still under investigation. Anyone with details is asked to call the San Francisco Police Department Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD.
