By Miriam Raftery

March 23, 2018 (Spring Valley) – A man suspected of intentionally seting a fire at 10767 Jamacha Blvd. in Spring Valley was detained last night at 9:43 p.m. by deputies from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s station.

He was rescued from a burning home and detained by a deputy for allegedly set the fire. The suspect was transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries related to the fire, said Sergeant Kotaro Murashige.

Members of the Sheriff’s bomb/arson unit are investigating the cause and origin of the blaze.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

March 21, 2018 (La Mesa) – The owner of a Mt. Helix home on Fuerte Drive in La Mesa was burglarized Wednesday afternoon by a thief who entered through a doggie door.

David Ward told ECM news partner 10 News that his dog recently passed away, but before he had a chance to block off access, a thief crawled through and bypassed the home’s security alarm.

By Miriam Raftery

March 17, 2018 (San Diego) – San Diego State University campus police have issued an alert following a robbery that occurred yesterday at 11:05 a.m. in the east alley of 5100 College Avenue.  The suspect offered to sell basketball tickets to the victim, but instead reportedly stole the victim’s money.

By Miriam Raftery; photos by Monica Zech

Photo: El Cajon Police Chief Jeff Davis, left, and Officer Jordan Walker, right

March 15, 2018 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police Officer Jordan Walker was named Top Vehicle Theft Recovery Officer of the Year countywide by the Auto Theft Advisory Committee out of 33 officers honored yesterday in Balboa Park.

East County News Service

March 14, 2018 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon Police Department has identified Joseph Mercurio, 31, as the vehicular burglary suspect shot and killed on March 11^th.  Investigators have since learned from their investigation that “Mercurio was driving a stolen vehicle and had been involved in at least two vehicle burglaries the night of this incident,” Sgt. Forster said. 

Source:  San Diego Sheriff's Department

March 13, 2018 (Santee) - San Diego County Crime Stoppers and investigators from the Santee Sheriff’s Station are asking for the public's help to locate two unknown suspects wanted in connection with using a stolen credit card and identity theft.   

East County News Service

March 11, 2018 (El Cajon) — Awakened by his dogs barking, a homeowner in the 1100 block of Mona Place near West Chase Avenue looked outside around 1:15 a.m. and reportedly saw a man breaking into his vehicle parked in front of the house. 

Update March 8, 2018:  The suspect has been identified as Dylan Poston, 26.  He is being held without bail, charged with murder.  The victim has been identified as Anderson Lopes, 24, an active-duty member of the U.S. Navy.

By Miriam Raftery

March 7, 2018 (El Cajon) – A man assaulted in his apartment at 13806 Pinkard Way in unincorporated El Cajon has died of his injuries.  His wife called 911 on Tuesday night shortly after 10:30 p.m. to report her husband was injured and not breathing after an assault.

By Miriam Raftery

March 6, 2018 (Alpine) – A SWAT team was called out to Alpine yesterday for a domestic violence incident in which a woman had barricaded herself into a bedroom with two shotguns, a handgun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, according to Sergeant Alex Navarro.

By Miriam Raftery

March 5, 2018 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police officers responding to a call reporting a domestic dispute on Grape Street this morning had a dog charge at them and fired shots, but did not strike the animal.

La Mesa Patch.com reports that while one officer fired shots, the other officer was able to get the dog into the patrol car, according to Lieutenant Chad Bell.

By Miriam Raftery

March 4, 2018 (El Cajon) – The city of El Cajon has dropped charges against a dozen people who allegedly violated the city’s temporary ban on feeding homeless people in public places.

Activists, including a 14-year-old minor, defied the ban in January, sharing food with homeless people at Wells Park in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.. They were issued misdemeanor citations and ordered to appear in court.

By Miriam Raftery

March 1, 2018 (El Cajon) – A search warrant was served this morning at Cloud 9 Wellness, an illegal marijuana dispensary in the 500 block of West Douglas in El Cajon. 

“A large amount of cash and marijuana was seized as evidence,” Lieutenant Walt Miller with the El Cajon Police Department states in a press release. Six employees and three armed security guards working at the business were briefly detained but not arrested. However, Lt. Miller notes, “Although the employees were not arrested today, they and the owner of the business may face charges of allowing the Commercial Sale of Marijuana within the City.”

By Miriam Raftery

Updated 1:30 p.m. with information provided by the Sheriff's department.

February 28, 2018 (Santee) – A student at West Hills High School has been arrested overnight for “making terrorists threats after he posted a photo of a Lego rifle on social media with a threatening message,” Grossmont Union High School District public information officer Catherine Martin stated on Twitter.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

February 22, 2018 (San Diego) – Sheriff’s Deputy Richard Fischer, who has been accused of groping and other sexual misconduct by more than a dozen women, has been charged on multiple counts.  Today, he pled not guilty to all charges, 10 News reports.

By Miriam Raftery

February 20, 2018 (Santee) – The Santee Sheriff’s station will host a coffee with the community on Tuesday, February 27^th from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Santee Branch Library (9225 Carlton Hills Blvd. #17).

This is an opportunity to meet and engage with the San Diego County Sheriff’ Department. You’ll have a chance to ask questions, voice concerns and get to know deputies who patrol your neighborhood. You can also get crime prevention tips and learn more about free safety programs, helping work together to keep your community safe.

For questions, call Crime Prevention Specialist Martha Miramontes at (619) 956-4022.