FBI: Man stole feds’ body armor, SUV

A man allegedly stole body armor and an unmarked vehicle from a San Francisco FBI storage facility in October before going on a threeday jaunt through the city that included trips to Golden Gate Park and the Presidio, according to federal court documents unsealed this week.

Federal prosecutors accused Angelo Valdez, 30, of taking U.S. property and damaging it over three days in the city. Valdez allegedly entered the parking lot of an FBI storage facility in Potrero Hill around 5:49 p.m. on Oct. 22. He then got into a crisis negotiation vehicle and smashed a TV in the interior before making off with body armor, according to court documents.

Six hours later, FBI officials said, the suspect drove away in an unmarked 2018 Chevy Tahoe, which officials said contained a distinctive hat, gloves and garage door opener.

The next day, Oct. 23, a runner noticed the Tahoe around 7:30 p.m. as it drove through Golden Gate Park in an area vehicles are not supposed to enter, according to court documents. The witness reported to police that the driver of the vehicle had been “driving erratically” and ran over several obstacles. The driver, who identified himself as a park worker named “Angelo” to the bystander, fled on foot after San Francisco police arrived.

U.S. Park Police arrested Valdez on Oct. 25 for an unrelated incident in the Presidio. He allegedly possessed the hat, gloves and garage door opener from the Tahoe, as well as its keys, and was wearing the FBI’s stolen body armor vest.

FBI officials said the Tahoe matched the vehicle stolen from its facility and that it had sustained more than $1,000 in damage.

Valdez’s attorney, Daniel Blank, declined comment on the case. An arraignment hearing is set for Dec. 20.