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Alleged Newsom Stalker Arrested In Union City

Thursday, March 01, 2007

March 1 - BCN -- There was another bizarre twist today in the investigation into the man accused of stalking San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.

The Union City man is in jail on charges that he burglarized and tried to run over another man. This comes after he went on camera with ABC7 explaining his fondness for the mayor.

He is being housed in the mental health unit at the Martinez jail. Police say that Han Shin punched a police officer in the nose who was trying to arrest him.

The officer is doing okay but Han Shin is in jail right now with bail at $240,000.

In a rambling interview with ABC7, Shin said he believes Mayor Gavin Newsom will be the next president of the United States and shared a number of pictures he has of the mayor.

Shin is not allowed to go near Newsom though. A judge issued a restraining order last week to keep him away from the mayor. The court documents say Shin tried to get into Newsom's home and was acting strangely around him at public events.

When we asked Shin about the mayor, he said he wouldn't hurt him and that he admires him for allowing gay marriage in San Francisco.

Han Shin, Accused Newsom Stalker: "And I said 'Oh, my gosh, there is a person in San Francisco, he is starting a revolution, just like the revolution that began in the 60s.' This is going to go on. When I saw this [picture of Newsom], this reminds me of the most famous art treasure of Korea and Japan, which is the Buddha meditating. And he is going to be the president."

But the morning after the interview police say Shin drove to the home of an acquaintance in San Ramon and confronted the acquaintance's roommate and that Shin stole some money and a picture and tried to run over the man with his car.

Police arrested Shin last night at his home in Union City.

Jimmy Lee, Contra Costa County Sheriff's Dept.: "They found him hiding in a closet and when he was about to be arrested he put up a fight and injured a San Ramon police detective. He was treated at the scene and released. Han Shin was taken to the main county jail here in Martinez."

Shin's case will be presented to the district attorney today. He'll likely appear in court tomorrow. As for the mayor's office, they say the mayor doesn't comment on security matters.

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