Violent robber sentenced to 327 years

A 60-year-old man has been sentenced to 327-years-to-life in prison for a series of violent residential burglaries that targeted the elderly in San Francisco’s Chinatown and Japantown neighborhoods in 2014, prosecutors said Wednesday.

German Woods Jr., of San Francisco, was found guilty on all 16 counts of residential burglary, inflicting injury on an elder and battery, as well as enhancements for crimes against the elderly.

In one incident, he followed a 70-year-old woman into her apartment and covered her mouth as she tried to scream for help. He then grabbed her by the ankle and dragged her 10 feet across the floor before stealing jewelry and money as well as other property, according to prosecutors.

Between April 19 and July 13 he committed similar crimes targeting at least six victims, ages 65 to 89.

Prosecutors said Woods’ modus operandi was to wait for unsuspecting victims to open their doors then rush inside and rob them using force.

District Attorney George Gascon said in a statement:

“He targeted the elderly because they were vulnerable. … They were preyed upon and taken advantage of … but they can rest easier knowing this man will never harm them or anyone else again.”