Crime Beat

FREEWAY SHOOTING IN EAST COUNTY INJURES 2: CHP SEEKS SUSPECTS WHO FIRED FROM DARK SUV

 

East County News Service

November 5, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)—Shots fired from a dark SUV that pulled alongside a Lexus traveling east on I-8 at Los Coches Road in unincorporated El Cajon at 12:57 a.m., injuring the driver and passenger.   

The driver of the Lexus, a 43-year-old woman from Alpine, and her passenger, a 31-year-old man, were transported by ambulance to Sharp Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. 


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EL CAJON POLICE REACH OUT TO PUBLIC TO IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY, ANNOUNCE PLANS TO BEEF UP ENFORCEMENT OF TRAFFIC RULES

 

View pedestrian safety video from El Cajon Police: http://vimeo.com/116996655

By Miriam Raftery

November 3, 2015 (El Cajon) – El Cajon has had 13 pedestrian fatalities in the past 20 months. In the prior 36 months, there were 10 fatalities. So in half the time, there have been double the number of pedestrian deaths. 

“That concerns us a great deal,” Police Chief Jim Redman told community members at a public safety forum held last month at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, where the department reached out to share safety tips, hear community suggestions, and advise about a new enforcement campaign aimed at saving lives.  A “Check before you step” campaign aims to educate the public on how to prevent pedestrian injuries and deaths.


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OFFICER FIRED FOR ASSAULTING A STUDENT

 

By Victiashea Matthews

November 1, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - There are two different perspectives in the case of Ben Fields: one applauding his heroic efforts or two, condemning his deeds of violence.


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$1,000 REWARD FOR ARREST OF SUSPECTS WANTED FOR BURGLARIES AND CREDIT CARD FRAUD IN EAST COUNTY

 

Photo: Surveillance photo of suspects

East County News Service

November 1, 2015 (Lakeside) --San Diego County Crime Stoppers and investigators from the Lakeside Sheriff's Substation are asking for the public's assistance to help identify and locate a man and a woman wanted in connection with a car burglary and the use of stolen credit cards at several businesses in the East County. The suspects may be driving a white Chevrolet Monte Carlo or similar style car.


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COUNTY OFFICIALS ISSUE ALERT OVER SCAM TARGETING SENIORS

 

County News Service

October 29, 2015 (San Diego)--County officials are alerting the public about a group of scam artists known to be targeting elderly residents in the county, particularly seniors in the Hispanic community.


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STRONG-ARM ROBBERY IN COLLEGE AREA

 

East County News Service

October 26, 2015 (San Diego) – Police at San Diego State University are warning of a strong-arm robbery that occurred shortly after midnight the morning of October 16th at 6040 Aztec Circle Drive on campus.


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JUDGE DISMISSES ALL-WHITE JURY

 

By Miriam Raftery

October 27, 2015 (Louisville, KY)--Can a black defendant get a fair trial with an all-white jury?

A judge in Louisville, Kentucky, says no – and he’s dismissed an entire jury because it lacked minorities in the trial of an African-American defendant facing drug charges.


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SDPD FACES CONTROVERSY: BODY CAMERAS OFF DURING FATAL SHOOTING

 

By Liz Alper

October 22, 2015 (San Diego) - After Tuesday's shooting of an armed man in the Gaslamp Quarter, the two officers who shot the man are facing controversy for not activating their body cameras, Channel 10 reports.


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THREE MEN BREAK INTO HOME NEAR SDSU

 
 
By Liz Alper
 
October 21, 2015 (San Diego) - Three men broke into a home near San Diego State Tuesday night.


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COUPLE FOUND DEAD IN HOME NEAR LAKE MURRAY

 

East County News Service

October 21, 2015 (La Mesa)—Asked by relative to conduct a welfare check on an elderly couple in their 70s, La Mesa Police found both the man and woman dead in the home in the 6900 block of Wyoming Avenue on Wednesday, October 14th.


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DETAILS RELEASED ON LA MESA MURDER-SUICIDE

East County News Service

October 22, 2015 (La Mesa)—The bodies found in a home in the 6900 block of Wyoming Avenue in La Mesa on October 14 have been identified as Rose M. Welch, 73, and her husband, William R. Welch. 

“Based on our investigation we believe that Mrs. Welch was murdered by Mr. Welch,” Lt. Brian Stoney states. “Based on the autopsy. it appears that Mrs. Welch sustained multiple blunt force trauma injuries to her head and was asphyxiated. Several days later Mr. Welch committed suicide by apparently overdosing on prescription medications.”


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SUSPECT ARRESTED IN MURDER OF EL CAJON SENIOR

 

By Miriam Raftery

October 21, 2015 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police have arrested Michael Patrick McDonnell, 46.  He is charged with the murder of his roommate, Richard Winslow Hobbs, 72.


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HELP SOUGHT TO IDENTIFY WOMAN’S BODY FOUND AT LAKE HODGES

 

East County News Service

October 20, 2015 (Escondido) – The Sheriff’s Department asks public help to identify the decomposing remains of a woman found October 17th on Lake Drive in the Del Dios area near Lake Hodges.

The County Medical Examiner’s office believes the woman died three to six weeks ago.  She was of Hispanic or African-American origin, 25 to 35 years old, and about 5 feet 3 or 5 feet 4 inches in height. She was wearing a very distinctive ring, shorts, and a unique athletic jersey, according to Lieutenant Kenn Nelson in the Sheriff’s Homicide Detail.


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ICE SUPERVISOR ACCUSED OF RECRUITING WORKERS FOR SEX PARTIES AND OTHER MISCONDUCT

 

By Miriam Raftery

October 20, 2015 (San Diego)--A federal investigation is under way into allegations claiming that a supervisor at Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE , in downtown San Diego has been recruiting workers for swinger sex parties at his home that he shares with his wife, who is also an ICE agent.

The anonymous complaint was filed with Homeland Security’s Inspector General, however the department referred the complaints to Ice for an internal investigation and has questioned several people in the local ICE office, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The Union-Tribune has reviewed the complaint and reports that it contends workers were approached during work and via text messages. The sex parties reportedly included sexual romps which allegedly occurred in a bedroom while children were at home.


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SKELETAL REMAINS FOUND AT LAKE HODGES

 

 

East County News Service

Photo: ECM news partner 10 News

October 18, 2015 (Escondido) -- Skeletal remains have been discovered near the shoreline of Lake Hodges.  A woman walking her dog early yesterday morning in the 19900 block of Lake Drive in unincorporated Escondido found the human body parts, 10 News reports.

“The positive identity of the victim as well as the cause and manner of death are pending an autopsy by the Medical Examiner's Office,” said Lieutenant Kenn Nelson with the Sheriff’s Homicide Detail, which is investigating the death.


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FUMIGATION BURGLARY SUSPECTS BUSTED

 

By Miriam Raftery

October 17, 2015 (El Cajon) – Two suspects spotted cutting open and climbing through a fumigation tarp over an apartment complex are now behind bars, thanks to an alert citizen who called El Cajon Police. Officers concluded that several apartments were burglarized and recovered stolen property, including jewelry and computers, Lt. Steve Kirk reports.

But the accused thieves may be lucky to have lost only their liberty, not their lives. The El Cajon Police Department reminds citizens that entering structures being fumigated, without proper training and protective equipment, is “extremely dangerous and could result in serious illness or death from exposure to harmful chemicals,” a police press release states.


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MURDER-SUICIDE IN LA MESA

 

East County News Service

October 17, 2015 (La Mesa)—A 77-year-old La Mesa man murdered his wife, 73, and killed himself, reports La Mesa Police Lieutenant Brian Stoney.

The bodies of William R.. Welch and his wife, Rose M. Welch, were found Wednesday in their home in the 6900 block of Wyoming Avenue in La Mesa.


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72-YEAR-OLD MAN DIES AFTER BRUTAL ASSAULT IN EL CAJON

 

East County News Service

October 14, 2015 (El Cajon) – A 72-year-old man found with serious head injuries at his home at 1037 Pine Drive in El Cajon last night died early this morning after being transported to a local hospital. 

“Detectives are actively investigating this case as a homicide,” says Lieutenant Frank La Haye with the El Cajon Police.  No suspect information is yet available, however he added, “There is no known or suspected immediate threat to the general public.”

The mortally wounded man was found at 8:35 p.m. after officers responded to a 911 call reporting an assault.


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GOVERNOR TAKES ACTION ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE , IMMIGRANT AND SCHOOL GUN BILLS

 

 

East County News Service

October 14, 2015 (Sacramento)—Governor Brown has taken action on numerous crime-related bills as well as a measure banning concealed guns on college campuses.

The Governor vetoed 11 crime-related measures, objecting to the fact that each bill would “criminalize conduct that is already proscribed.”  Among the bills rejected was one that would have made it a felony to possess date-rape drugs with intent to commit a sexual assault.

A week after a gunman killed nine people at a college in Oregon, Brown signed into law a measure banning the carrying of concealed w4eapons on all school and university campuses in California, except when school officials have granted permission or if the carrier is retired from  law enforcement.


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FUNDRAISER PLANNED OCT. 23 FOR SEARCH FOR MISSING EL CAJON MAN WITH DIABETES

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

October 10, 2015 (El Cajon ) – The family of Elijah “Bear” Diaz, 20,  who vanished on August 29th, will hold a spaghetti dinner fundraiser and raffle at Barona Clubhouse on October 23, 2015 at 6 p.m. 

“Since we believe Bear is not missing on his own terms, the family has hired a private investigator which these funds will go toward,” Katey Hoffman told East County Magazine. She is working with Lelanie Thompson,  Bear’s mother.

The cost is $10 and includes spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, drinks and desert.  Raffle tickets are $5 and prizes include jewelry, art, cooking wares, and gift cards.  Donations of additional raffle prizes are welcome.


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FORMER SHERIFF BILl KOLENDER DIES OF ALZHEIMER'S

By Liz Alper

October 7, 2015 (San Diego) - Former San Diego County Sheriff Bill Kolender passed away of Alzheimer's disease on Tuesday.  He was 80 years old.  

Kolender served as San Diego's Chief of Police from 1976 to 1988.  In 1988, he retired and took a job as an assistant publisher at the San Diego Union Tribune.  In 1995, he came back to law enforcement as Sheriff of San Diego County.  He would be re-elected three times.

Kolender had been fighting Alzheimer's since retiring in 2009.


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SUSPECT SOUGHT IN SANTEE BURGLARY; MARINE CHALLENGE COINS STOLEN

 

Stolen credit card used at La Mesa gas station

October 7, 2015 (Santee and La Mesa)—The Sheriff seeks public help to find a “person of interest” caught on surveillance video at a La Mesa gas station where a stolen credit card was used on September 23 shortly before dawn.  She drove a red four-door car.

The credit card was among items stolen during a burglary of a home on Woodside Avenue in Santee just hours earlier. The thief broke in while the homeowner was sleeping and stole items including cash and credit cards from the victim’s purse.  Also stolen were U.S. Marine Challenge coins (see photo) that belong to the victim’s son.


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ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING IN SPRING VALLEY

 

 

East County News Service

October 4, 2015 (Spring Valley ) – Two men in a white sedan attempted to kidnap a woman who was walking on the sidewalk near the 900 block of Gillespie Drive in Spring Valley on October 3rd at 5:15 p.m. 

One suspect is described as a black man 20-25 years old with a shaved head, about 5 feet 8 inches tall and 150 pounds. The second suspect is a male of unknown race.  The vehicle, a white sedan, may possibly be a Chevrolet Impala and had black windows.


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MISSING TEEN, 14, LAST SEEN IN LA MESA FRIDAY NIGHT

 

Update Oct. 6, 2015 - La Mesa Police report that this missing juvenile has been found with friends in Imperial Beach and has been returned to her family.

Update Oct. 4, 2015 1 p.m. - Olivia's mother confirms that a friend received an Instragram message that appears to be from Olivia.  The message indicates she is safe but does not want to come home.  It is not certain whether the message was sent by Olivia or possibly by someone with access to her account.

East County News Service

October 4, 2015 (La Mesa) – Public help is sought to locate Olivia Miller, 14, A Guatay resident who vanished Friday night in La Mesa. She was last seen at 7 p.m. at the Journey Community Church at 8363 Center Drive.

According to La Mesa Police dispatch, Olivia is 5 feet 1 inch tall, weighs 110 pounds, has black hair and green eyes. She was last seen wearing a white baseball cap, black shirt and black pants. She may also have been wearing a white cardigan and carrying a brown backpack, her mother has advised East County Magazine.

Olivia’s mother, Sherrie Jockell, says Olivia had a picnic dinner with family at the church before services.  An assistant teacher in a class at church, Olivia never made it to class after dinner.  Family realized she was missing after the service, when she did not return to their car.  Olivia made no mention of going anywhere after church to her friends or family.


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CAMPUS POLICE ISSUE ALERT AFTER STRONG-ARM ROBBERY

 

October 3, 2015 (San Diego)—San Diego State University has issued a community safety alert warning that a strong-armed robbery occurred at the corner of Dorothy Drive and Campanile Drive on Wednesday, September 30. At about 5:30 p.m., a man (estimated age 20) walked up behind three students, pushed one and grabbed her laptop, fleeing southbound on foot. The students were unharmed.


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EL CAJON MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON

 

By Liz Alper

October 2, 2015 (EL CAJON) - An El Cajon man who murdered his girlfriend has been sentenced to 35 years to life in prison, KUSI reports.


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SANTANA PRINCIPAL WARNS OF TRUCK FOLLOWING TEEN GIRLS

 

East County News Service

September 29, 2015 (Santee)—Santana High School Principal Tim Schwuchow has notified parents in a letter about two incidents last week in which female students were reportedly followed by a white Chevrolet pickup truck.


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YELLOW "HIT-AND-RUN" ALERTS APPROVED

 

East County News Service

September 30, 2015 (Sacramento)—Governor Jerry Brown has signed Assembly Bill 8 into law. The measure will create “yellow alerts” to display descriptions of vehicles involved in hit-and-run collisions on digital freeway signs.  The alerts, set to start January 1st, will be similar to Amber Alerts used for kidnapped children.


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20 ARRESTED IN LAKESIDE SWEEP

 

East County News Service

September 29, 2015 (Lakeside)—Twenty people were arrested Saturday morning during a probation compliance sweep conducted by Sheriff’s detectives, deputies and other staff.


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BILL ON GOVERNOR’S DESK WOULD LET MOTORISTS CHALLENGE TRAFFIC TICKETS WITHOUT PAYING FINES FIRST

 

By Miriam Raftery

Currently, California drivers who want to challenge a ticket in court have to pay a fine or fee first, in many jurisdictions.  But Senate Bill 405, now awaiting Governor Jerry Brown’s approval, would give motorists the right to fight tickets without paying a fine or fee unless they are found guilty.

 The U.S. justice system is supposed to presume innocence until someone is found guilty.  But traffic fines and add-on fees amount to hundreds of dollars in some cases. The American Civil Liberties Union has argued that those fees block access to the justice system for the poor.


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