SUSPECT SOUGHT IN SERIES OF CAR BURGLARIES

September 1, 2010 (La Mesa)--Michael Penwell is being sought by the La Mesa Police Department after fleeing from a traffic stop where numerous items of stolen property, narcotics and drug paraphernalia were found. Penwell is described as a white male, 25, with blond hair and hazel eyes. He is 5 feet, 7 inches tall with a thin build and multiple tattoos. He also has a felony parole warrant for his arrest.

On August 29, at about 7:30 a.m., a La Mesa police officer made a traffic stop on a 2002 Ford Explorer driven by a male with a male passenger. As soon as the vehicle stopped in the 5600 block of Lake Murray Boulevard, the driver, later identified as Michael Penwell, fled into the nearby residential neighborhood and was not located. The police detained the male passenger at the scene. A search of the vehicle revealed stolen property from three separate La Mesa vehicle burglaries.

These burglaries occurred in residential areas on the east side of La Mesa, just hours before the traffic stop. Stolen property from two vehicle burglaries in the San Diego area along with narcotics and drug paraphernalia were also found in the vehicle.

The male passenger, Christopher Simmons of Spring Valley, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of stolen property and drug paraphernalia then booked into County Jail. The registered owner of the vehicle, Megan Flinn, of Victorville, California, was located by police after the traffic stop and arrested for a felony warrant and possession of stolen property then booked into Las Colinas Women’s Detention Facility.

Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Michael Penwell should contact the La Mesa Police Department at (619) 667-1400.

You may also call Crime Stoppers’ anonymous toll-free tip line (888) 580-TIPS (or www.sdcrimestoppers.com). You can remain anonymous, and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case. The investigation is continuing.