A man accused in a string of attacks in San Francisco has been arrested for allegedly killing a man in Chinatown earlier this year.
Police said Samuel Youmtoub, 59, battered 49-year-old Quang Troung in April. Troung later died from his injuries.
About a month after he allegedly beat Troung, Youmtoub was allegedly caught on surveillance footage repeatedly kicking a homeless man in the face in the Tenderloin neighborhood. He was then connected to at least two other attacks, according to prosecutors, and has been jailed ever since.
Police aren't releasing any details about their investigation.
Troung was found on Joice Street around 5 a.m. on April 15 with multiple injuries to his head.
San Francisco Police Department spokesman Robert Rueca said officers identified Youmtoub as a possible suspect before Troung died.
Police arrested Youmtoub on Nov. 30 on suspicion of murder, more than six months after the beating. They announced the arrest today.
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Prosecutors had already charged him with three counts of assault and three counts of battery and he pleaded not guilty on June 20.
The first of those cases, a battery, took place on Feb. 4 when police say Youmtoub allegedly attacked a man near 150 Third St.
According to court records, Youmtoub told officers he punched the man because he was making "weird faces" at him.
On May 24, Youmtoub was allegedly seen on surveillance footage kicking a homeless person in the face. Responding officers found the victim covered in blood and seriously injured.
A few days later, Youmtoub allegedly attacked a man on the San Francisco Municipal Railway 14-Mission bus line. The victim's nose was broken and needed surgery, court records say.
Soon after, an officer patrolling the Tenderloin neighborhood arrested Youmtoub after recognizing him from the surveillance footage. As he was being arrested, Youmtoub asked officers, "Why aren't you doing anything about the homeless?" according to court records.
Rueca said officers won't tolerate violence toward anyone, especially those struggling with homelessness.
"We as police officers have to advocate for people who really are not able to protect themselves," Rueca said. "We're all human beings and we have to treat each other as such."
Anyone with more information about the killing is asked to contact police anonymously at (415) 575-4444 or text TIP411 starting the message with "SFPD."
