East County News Service

August 4, 2017 (El Cajon) - The Superior Court of California and Mental Health Systems, Inc. will hold a graduation ceremony on Wednesday, August 9th at 5:00 p.m. at the Lakeside Community Center, 9841 Vine Street, Lakeside.  This is the court’s 45^th Graduation ceremony since it was founded 20 years ago in August 1997.  The 20th anniversary of East County Drug Court and the uplifting commencement ceremony is evidence of the tremendous impact that East County Drug Court has had on our community, a release from  the county’s Mental Health Service department states.  

By Miriam Raftery

August 2, 2017 (La Mesa) – Thieves who entered a La Mesa home through a dog door attacked two small dogs with pepper spray. The intruders ransacked the home, stealing jewelry from a bedroom.

Jake Hutchison told 10 News that his wife came home to the family residence near Bancroft Drive and discovered orange marks on the fur of their Chihuahua Terrier mix dogs, along with the disarray.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Screenshot, the Washington Post

July 30, 2017 (San Diego) -- Law enforcement leaders across the nation are denouncing remarks made by President Donald Trump that critics say encourages police brutality. View video of Trump’s remarks.

Here is what President Trump said while speaking to law enforcement officers at Suffolk County Community College in New York:

East County News Service

July 27, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - National Night Out Against Crime© is on Tuesday, August 1st. The Sheriff’s Department is inviting the public to a dozen different events all over the county, including East County events in Alpine, Lemon Grove, Ramona, Rancho San Diego, and Santee. 

Night Out Against Crime© is a celebration of community relationships. Meet deputies who patrol your neighborhoods, learn about the many services the Sheriff’s Department provides, get crime prevention tips, giveaways at some locations, and other ways you can stay safe. Activities vary by location. 

Below are details on each location:

By Miriam Raftery

July 23, 2017 (Ramona) – Complaints by neighbors of suspicious activity led to a search warrant for a property in the 500 block of F Street in Ramona early this morning.  SWAT team members and deputies with the Sheriff’s crime suppression team found firearms, drugs, drug paraphernalia and suspected stolen property.

By Miriam Raftery

July 20, 2017 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon Police Officers Association has set up a Go fund me page (https://www.gofundme.com/ieshafund ) for Iesha Booker, a homeless mother of seven who came to the aid of Officer Sioson after he was knocked unconscious by a suspect who continued to assault him, causing serious injuries.

The 34-year-old MTS bus driver, was at the KFC in El Cajon when the assault occurred.  “When everyone else at the KFC stood around shocked, Lesha quickly stepped in, using Officer Sioson’s police radio to transmit `Officer Down at the KFC!’   It was that transmission which allowed us to expedite help to Officer Sioson, quickly arrest the suspect,” says Travis Howard, president of the El Cajon Police Officers Association.

By Miriam Raftery

July 20, 2017 (La Mesa)—A high-speed pursuit from Santee to La Mesa ended early this morning in the laundry room of a La Mesa apartment complex, where SWAT teams from La  Mesa and San Diego police departments helped capture the suspect, Randy Hanks, 37.

East County News Service

July 19, 2017 (San Diego) — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors this week unanimously approved more than a million dollars to equip Sheriff's Deputies with body-worn cameras.

The Sheriff's Department will officially roll out its body-worn camera program next month at the Alpine Sheriff's Station and Ramona Sheriff's Substation. From there, deputies countywide will receive the cameras within four to five months.

By Miriam Raftery

July 18, 2017 (El Cajon) – A transient is under arrest for the attempted murder of an El Cajon Police officer that occurred yesterday shortly after 10 a.m. The suspect reportedly punched the officer repeatedly, continuing to assault him after he was unconscious.

Officers were dispatched to a Dollar Store, where a robbery had been reported.  Employees said the suspect had gone to a JFC restaurant nearby at 724 Fletcher Parkway. KFC had also called police to report the suspect stole soda from their fountain. There, the suspect,  Daniel Moses Cook, 42, violently assaulted the officer.

East County News Service

July 13, 2017 (San Diego)-- The District Attorney's Office is looking for the owners of hundreds of items that have been impounded by law enforcement in connection to a burglary series throughout San Diego County. A treasure trove of items was found in a storage unit belonging to a serial burglary suspect.

Deputy District Attorney James Koerber explains more in this video. [TWEET THIS]

Photos of all the items can be found on the DA's Facebook page.

By Miriam Raftery

July 10, 2017 (Santee) – Three youths who tried to buy marijuana in Santee wound up fleeing gunfire after they asked to inspect the cannabis before paying for it.  In response to the question, one of the two sellers punched one of the would-be pot buyers, knocking out a tooth.  The second seller pulled out a gun and fired five shots at the fleeing boys, striking his partner as well as one of the buyers, Sergeant William Amavisca with the Sheriff’s department reports.

East County News Service

July 8, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – A sobriety checkpoint in Lemon Grove found no intoxicated drivers, but did lead to citations for license violations and impounding of several vehicles.  The checkpoint was initiative due to numerous DUI-related accidents and recent tragedies.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left:  Sergeant Parker with his daughter, Sarah, sons Jonathan and Daniel, and wife, Missy.

July 5, 2017 (San Diego) – Countless families have been reunited with missing loved ones, or learned their fate, thanks to the tireless efforts of  Sheriff Search and Rescue Coordinator Don Parker.  Sergeant Parker, who retired in 2015, made a career out of helping others – and now the community is pulling together to bring financial help to Sergeant Parker, who was diagnosed in May with brain cancer.

East County News Service

July 1, 2017 (La Mesa) – A suspected drunk driver crashed into a semi-truck on Interstate 8 near State Route 125 on Wednesday, following a pursuit by La Mesa police and California Highway Patrol early Wednesday morning.

East County News Service

June 30, 2017 (San Diego ) – The San Diego County Sheriff is asking all County residents to be on the looking for Pablo Duran, who goes by multiple aliases and is considered armed and dangerous.

He is wanted for suspicion of murdering his employer, contractor Robert Pierro,on June 7 in Vista.  According to a press release issued today, he fled from law enforcement and his whereabouts are unknown. There is an active felony arrest for him.