San Francisco police say officers recovered 355.7 grams of suspected methamphetamine after a rideshare driver contacted authorities about a backpack left in the vehicle. “A suspect’s rideshare trip took an unexpected turn after he left behind a bag containing more than 300 grams of methamphetamine,” the San Francisco Police Department said.
The discovery prompted officers to trace the item to a passenger and subsequently locate a 41-year-old Sacramento man at a motel, according to the department. That man, identified by police as Jessie Ottman-Combs, was arrested and booked into the San Francisco County Jail.
Methamphetamine found in rideshare backpack
Authorities said the backpack was left in a rideshare near the Tenderloin neighborhood. The department reported they recovered roughly three-quarters of a pound of the suspected methamphetamine with a precise measurement of 355.7 grams.
SFPD’s statement framed the discovery as the starting point for a broader investigation; officers worked from the initial report by the driver to gather evidence and identify a suspect. Police emphasized that the item is described as suspected methamphetamine pending laboratory testing.
How police located the suspect
The case began when the rideshare driver contacted San Francisco police to report the abandoned bag and arrange its return. Officers coordinated with the driver and used information from the trip to trace the backpack back to a passenger.
Police said they located Jessie Ottman-Combs at a motel in the city. Following contact, officers conducted a search of the motel room tied to the investigation and seized several items as part of the probe.
Evidence seized and charges
During the motel search, officers reportedly recovered two cellphones, two tablets and drug paraphernalia in addition to the suspected methamphetamine. Authorities said those items were seized as evidence.
Ottman-Combs was booked into the San Francisco County Jail on allegations that included possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and transportation or sale of methamphetamine. Police and jail records list the charges as allegations; formal charges and prosecutorial decisions are pending review by the district attorney.
Law-enforcement sources and others provided an estimated street value for the seized drugs of more than $30,000. That figure is an approximation based on per-gram pricing often cited in public-facing resources and is not an official valuation issued by police.
Local safety and rideshare tips
The incident occurred near the Tenderloin, an area where residents and city officials have long contended with visible drug activity and related public-safety concerns. City leaders have balanced enforcement efforts with calls for expanded behavioral-health and social services in the neighborhood.
Officials advising rideshare drivers and passengers urged caution. Drivers are advised to check their vehicle and note any left items, to avoid directly handling suspected narcotics, and to contact local police or the rideshare company to report potentially illegal items.
Passengers should likewise double-check their belongings before exiting a vehicle and notify the driver or company immediately if something is missing. Waiting for police to handle suspected illegal substances helps ensure safety and preserves evidence for investigators.
What comes next in the investigation
Police said the investigation remains active. Officers continue to process evidence collected from the backpack, the rideshare vehicle and the motel room. The department will submit suspected drugs to a crime lab for testing as part of standard procedure.
Laboratory confirmation that the seized substance is methamphetamine has not been publicly reported. Authorities typically rely on lab analysis to formally identify controlled substances; until testing is complete, descriptions of the drugs in police releases use the term “suspected”.
Booking records indicate Ottman-Combs was taken into custody and processed at the San Francisco County Jail. The charges reported at booking are allegations and not findings of guilt. Prosecutors will determine formal filings as evidence and lab results become available.
Members of the public with information about the case are generally encouraged to contact the San Francisco Police Department through its non-emergency or tip lines. Specific contact procedures and online reporting options are maintained on SFPD channels.
Reporting on this incident relied on a Fox News account of the SFPD news release and the department’s public statement. The San Francisco Police Department provided quotes and details cited in the department’s release.
Source: Fox News; San Francisco Police Department (SFPD).
Frequently asked questions
What was recovered from the backpack?
Police report the backpack contained 355.7 grams of suspected methamphetamine. Investigators also said they seized two cellphones, two tablets and drug paraphernalia from a motel room linked to the suspect.
Who was arrested and what are the charges?
Authorities identified the arrested person as 41-year-old Jessie Ottman-Combs of Sacramento. He was booked into the San Francisco County Jail on allegations including possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and transportation or sale of methamphetamine.
Has the substance been lab confirmed as methamphetamine?
Not publicly. Police described the item as suspected methamphetamine and indicated that seized substances are typically sent to a crime lab for formal testing as part of an ongoing investigation.
