Crime Beat

THIRD SUSPECT ARRESTED IN LEMON GROVE MURDER

April 4, 2012 (Lemon Grove) – On April 2, homicide detectives, with the assistance of the San Diego Regional Fugitive Task force, arrested another suspect in the March 14 murder of 23 year old Avel Michael Edgar that occurred in the 8200 block of Vernon Street in Lemon Grove. The suspect, 20 year-old Dasaun Roberts, of San Diego, was booked into the San Diego Central Jail for murder and the transportation/sales of marijuana.  He is currently being held with no bail.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

TWO SAN DIEGO MEN ARRESTED FOR IMPERSONATING FBI AGENTS

FBI warns public of falling victim to the bank examiner scam

March 30, 2012 (San Diego) --  Thursday, March 29, the FBI announced  the arrest of two San Diego men on charges of impersonating FBI Agents as part of a scheme to defraud a San Diego woman over over $200,000.  Nenad Videnovic 22, was arrested by FBI Agents on March 27  in Ocean Beach.  Brian John Murphy, 33 was arrested later that same day in the Mission Bay area. 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

SHOTS FIRED ON HIGHWAY 94

March 29, 2012 (Lemon Grove) – Police seek information on the occupants of a dark sedan that pulled up next to a Ford Five Hundred near Massachusetts early this morning.  The driver of the Ford and a passenger heard several shots and two bullet holes were found in the driver’s side of the vehicle. No one was injured. 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST EX-TEA PARTY OFFICIAL AFTER ACCUSER ADMITS SHE WAS NOT RAPED

 

March 29, 2012 (San Diego)—Michael Kobulnicky, a Lemon Grove resident and former spokesman for the San Diego Tea Party, is a free man after the District Attorney dropped all charges.  Kobulnicky had been accused of kidnapping a woman, then sexually assaulting her at Fiesta Island.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

LA MESA POLICE TAKE ADDITIONAL STEPS TO KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED: LAUNCH WEEKLY BULLETIN

 
March 26, 2012 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Police Department will be providing a weekly “News and Information” bulletin that will provide the public access to current case highlights, traffic enforcement information, crime prevention, emergency preparedness and department highlights. Starting today, this bulletin will be available on the City’s website and updated every Monday morning after 10:00 am. It will provide highlights of La Mesa Police activity from the prior week. This is another way La Mesa is keeping the public informed of recent police related activity. 

Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

NEW DETAILS EMERGE ON IRAQI WOMAN SLAIN IN EL CAJON

By Miriam Raftery

March 25, 2012 (El Cajon ) – The body of Shaima Alawadi, the 32-year-old Iraqi mother of five who died following a brutal attack in El Cajon last week, will be flown to Iraq for burial. The Detroit Free Press reports that her father, Sayed Nabeel Alawadi, a Shia cleric, confirmed that the Iraqi government will pay for the shipping expense.

Her murder has sparked outrage around the globe--and a show of solidarity among students in distant places.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

SHERIFF’S COFFEE WITH THE COMMUNITY: LAKESIDE AND EL CAJON

March 24, 2012 (El Cajon) – The Lakeside/El Cajon Sheriff’s station will be holding coffee and conversation with the community in multiple locations.  The event will be attended by Lt. Robbins, Lt. Walker, COPPS Deputies, Crime Prevention Specialists and representatives from other agencies in partnership with the Sheriff’s Department. 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

DOUBTS CAST ON SAN DIEGO TEA PARTY SPOKESMAN FACING RAPE CHARGE

By Miriam Raftery

Update:  All charges against Kobulnicky have been dropped.  For full story, see

http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/9176

Update March 27, 2012 (San Diego)--At a bail review yesterday, the victim told the judge that she is certain Kobulnicky was not the person who reportedly raped her.  "This man is not the man at all, and I'll stick with that for as long as I live," she stated, 10 News reports. http://www.10news.com/news/30763732/detail.html.  The San Diego Tea Party has posted an interview with the woman on their website at http://www.sandiegopatriots.com . Kobulnicky remains in jail, however.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

IRAQI WOMAN DIES AFTER BRUTAL BEATING, THREATS

Update March 25, 2012:  Outrage over Alawadi's brutal murder has spread around the world.  Now a Facebook page called One Million Hijabs for Shaima Alawadi has been launched, featuring a photo of college students wearing hijabs in a show of solidarity with the El Cajon murder victim:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/One-Million-Hijabs-for-Shaima-Alawadi/137306256397032

March 24, 2012 (El Cajon ) – Shaima Alawadi, 32, mother of five children, has died of injuries sustained Wednesday when she was found savagely beaten in her home.

ECM news partner 10 News  confirms that Alawadi was taken off life support this afternoon. The death is being investigated as a murder--and a family member believes the killing was a hate crime.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

POLICE SEARCH FOR ARMED ROBBER IN LA MESA

March 24, 2012 (La Mesa) – A search is on in La Mesa for an armed robbery suspect in the vicinity of 8601 Fletcher Parkway near the Grossmont Trolley.  All trolleys have been stopped due to activity on the tracks, according to La Mesa Police.

Incident Page Network reports that the search involves a Sheriff’s helicopter and San Diego Police Department canine, around 11 p.m.  


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

RETIRED SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS (RSVPS) HELP LAW ENFORCEMENT KEEP COMMUNITIES SAFE – AND SAVE MONEY

 

By Shannon Michael
 
March 24, 2012 (San Diego) – In today’s tight budgetary times, local law enforcement departments are getting a hand from retired senior volunteer programs (RSVPs).  How do these dedicated volunteers help our communities—and  how do programs at different agencies compare?

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

WOMAN BRUTALLY ATTACKED AT HER HOME IN EL CAJON

March 21, 2012 (El Cajon) – A 17-year-old found her mother, Shaima Alawadi, unconscious in the dining room of her home at 565 Skyview at 11:15 morning. “Alawadi was transported to a local trauma center, where she is not expected to survive her injuries,” said Lt. Mark Coit with the El Cajon Police, who have assigned homicide investigators to the case.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

POLICE SEEK HIT-AND-RUN DRIVER OF FORD TRUCK IN COLLEGE AREA

 
March 23,2012 (San Diego)—San Diego Police are looking for the driver of a dark grey truck with front left fender/headlight damage. The vehicle struck and seriously injured a pizza deliveryman at Montezuma Road and 63rd street in the College area at 10:40 last night.

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

LA MESA ESTABLISHES GRAFFITI HOTLINE

 

March 22, 2012 (La Mesa) -- The City of La Mesa asks public help to eradicate graffiti as quickly as possible. La Mesa Police ask that you please report any graffiti you see around your business and home to the new graffiti hotline at 619-466-3789.
For further information regarding the La Mesa program see the City of La Mesa website.

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

BURGLERS BUSTED IN LA MESA

 
March 22, 2012 (La Mesa) – Three young suspects are under arrest for burglarizing a residence in the 7600 block of Seattle Drive in La Mesa. 
 
Tuesday morning at 10:04 p.m., La Mesa Police received a call from a citizen who provided detailed descriptions of suspects who were breaking into the residence. The witness provided police with updates as officers responded to the scene.

Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

1ST ANNUAL CRASH FOR KIDS GOLF TOURNAMENT ON MARCH 26

March 21, 2012 (San Diego) – Crash for Kids, the first annual golf tournament to benefit the San Diego Police Officers Association’s Widows and Orphans Fund and the San Diego Army Advisory Council, will take place on Monday, March 26 at 10:00 a.m.  The event will be held at The Santaluz Club, located at 8170 Caminito Santaluz E, San Diego.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

FEDS ARREST 19 IN PROBE OF CYBER-GROUPS SELLING STOLEN FINANCIAL INFORMATION ONLINE

John Holsheimer, convicted in fatal crash that killed Ramona mom Bridget Hale, among those arrested

By Miriam Raftery

March 20, 2012 (Las Vegas)-- Last week, federal authorities arrested 19 suspects in nine states as part of Operation "Open Market," an investigation into a transnational criminal organization operating mainly out of Las Vegas. According to a press release  from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), crime ring's members bought and sold stolen personal and financial information online, then committed identity theft and counterfeit credit card trafficking.

One San Diegan was among those arrested: John Holsheimer, 53. He is charged with conspiracy, trafficking in and production of false identification documents--including the forged driver's license that he presented to California Highway Patrol the night he crashed head-on into Bridgette Hale of Ramona on Highway 67, killing the young mother. 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

HIGH-SPEED CHASE ENDS WITH CRASH NEAR ANTHONY'S RESTAURANT

March 20, 2012 (La Mesa)—Two men are in custody following a high-speed pursuit that began at 5:32 this evening when the driver of a vehicle stolen in El Cajon attempted to elude a police officer near Fletcher Parkway and Nagel Drive.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

DEPUTY INVOLVED SHOOTING IN VALLEY CENTER ENDS IN ARREST OF SUSPECT

March 18, 2012 (Valley Center) – Valley Center Area Investigators were called to Harrah’s Rincon Casino on the afternoon of March 15 for a report of a stolen vehicle in the parking lot.  As investigators were watching the vehicle, a subject, later identified as Joe Hernandez (07/10/86), approached and entered the vehicle.  Investigators attempted to detain Hernandez, who failed to comply with orders and attempted to flee in the vehicle.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

ARBY’S ROBBED AT GUNPOINT

 

March 18, 2012 (San Diego)—The Arby’s restaurant at 6225 Mission Gorge Road was robbed at gunpoint last night at 5:24 p.m.  According to San Diego Police Sgt. Todd Sluss, the suspect is described as a black male adult, 25-30 years old, 6 feet 1 inch tall, wearing a black zip-up hoodie and black jeans.

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

LA MESA POLICE ARREST ADULTS FOR FURNISHING ALCOHOL TO MINORS

 
March 17, 2012 (La Mesa)—As part of a statewide crackdown on individuals buying alcohol for minors, the La Mesa Police Department, in a joint effort with Investigators of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) arrested six adults for purchasing alcohol for a minor. The action was the result of a compliance check operation on March 16, 2012 in which minors under the direct supervision of detectives and investigators attempted to have adults purchase alcohol for them from six separate retail licensees in the City of La Mesa. 

Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

MAN SHOT IN LEMON GROVE

Update March 25, 2012: The victim has been identified as Avel Michael Jordan Edgar, 21. According to the San Diego Medical Examiner, he died of a gunshot wound to the head.

March 17, 2012 (Lemon Grove) – Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call to a home at 8232 Mount Vernon Street in Lemon Grove, where a man had been shot, the evening of March 14.  Paramedics determined that the man was deceased.

There were several people inside the home at the time of the incident and they are being interviewed to determine what occurred.  There are currently two suspects in the case described as adult black males.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

POLICE INVESTIGATE SHOOTING OF ROBBERY SUSPECT IN SAN CARLOS

Update March 25, 2012 -- The Medical Examiner has identified the deceased as Dean Leshawn Scott, 29, who died of a gunshot wound to the chest.

March 17, 2012 (San Diego)--San Diego Police Department Homicide Unit detectives are investigating a shooting that took place at the Cotijo Taco Shop, 7285 Navajo Road during a robbery attempt and the death of a man found shot in the 4100 block of 40th Street. 

The deceased man matches the description of the wounded robber.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

POLICE SEARCH FOR SUSPECT IN LA MESA

Update 8:35 a.m. - The search has ended and the suspect was not located.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

CAUGHT ON TAPE, ARSONIST PLEADS GUILTY

 
March 14, 2012 (La Mesa/Spring Valley) -- When 51 year old Michael Joseph Morris of La Mesa set fire to a Spring Valley hillside, little did he know security cameras were rolling. The video captured him gathering a pile of combustible material and starting the blaze that endangered lives and property.

Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

CHEMICALS USED IN "SPICE" AND "K2" TYPE PRODUCTS UNDER FEDERAL CONTROL AND REGULATION FOR ADDITIONAL 6 MONTHS

 

DEA Continues Studies to Determine Whether To Permanently Control Five Substances
 
March 12, 2012 (Washington D.C.) --  The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) exercised its emergency scheduling authority to extend, by six months, control of five chemicals (JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-200, CP-47,497, and cannabicyclohexanol) used to make so-called “fake pot” products.

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

2 EAST COUNTY MEN ARRESTED FOR “INSISTENT BANDIT” BANK ROBBERIES

March 12, 2012 (San Diego) -- San Diego FBI Special Agent in Charge Keith Slotter announces the arrest of Steve Edward Ruby, age 52, of El Cajon, California, and Spiros Romensas, age 51, of La Mesa as a result of the investigation into the “Insistent Bandit” serial bank robbery investigation.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

14-YEAR OLD ARRESTED FOR DEATH THREATS AT LA MESA MIDDLE SCHOOL

 
March 9, 2012 (La Mesa) –A La Mesa Middle School student was arrested yesterday at his home in the unincorporated area of La Mesa for making criminal death threats against the school. Detectives are also investigating possible bullying and harssing conduct reportedly made against the suspect. 

Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

ROBBER IN SKELETON MASK, FEMALE ACCOMPLICE SOUGHT

March 9, 2012 (Rancho Penasquitos)-- San Diego Police Department Robbery Unit detectives are investigating two similar commercial robberies committed by a masked suspect in Rancho Penasquitos.

Surveillance video captured the same female entering the business, just prior to the suspect’s entry, in both cases.

.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

FATHER AND TEEN DAUGHTER FOUND DEAD IN CAMPO HOME

Update March 8, 2012: The deceased have been identified as Jim Simmons, 41, and Donna Simmons, 16.

March 6, 2012 (Campo) – Yesterday morning, Sheriff’s deputies discovered the bodies of a man and his 16-year-old daughter at a home in the 2600 block of Cameron Truck Trail in Campo. 

“The reporting party told deputies that he read a text message on his phone,”  Sgt. David Martinez said. The message, from the father found dead, “essentially read that the man’s daughter committed suicide and the man was going to be with his daughter.”


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

Pages