“By rejecting the Attorney General’s argument that patients who utilize dispensaries must collaborate…to cultivate the marijuana they purchase, the court is establishing a clear standard for dispensaries across the state.” –Joe Elford, Chief Counsel, Americans for Safe Access

By Nadin Abbott

October 26, 2012 (San Diego)—On Wednesday, the Fourth District Court of Appeal for California issued a unanimous ruling overturning the conviction of Jovan Jackson, the operator of Answerdam, a medical marijuana dispensary in Kearny Mesa. 

The decision is being hailed by medical marijuana advocates as a landmark decision that could have far-reaching impacts for medical marijuana patients and dispensaries.

October 24, 2012 (La Mesa)—A suspect wielding what witnesses described as a “submachine gun”, attempted to hold up the Well Deck Liquor Company at 3773 Avocado Blvd. in the unincorporated area of San Diego County near La Mesa on October 20 around 11:07 a.m.  The suspect carried an orange backpack and as described as possibly Hispanic with blood shot eyes. He was dressed all in black including a cloth over his face. 

October 22, 2012 (Lemon Grove)--Sheriff’s deputies responded to a radio call of a possible carjacking in Lemon Grove at 3:30 a.m. A taxi driver had been flagged down earlier by two men at 12th Street and Imperial Avenue in San Diego, then drove them to Lemon Grove on Highway 94 and stopped at North Avenue and Olive Street.

“One of the subjects allegedly hit the driver on the head with the butt of a black semi-automatic handgun,” said Sergeant Luis Chavezz with the Sheriff’s office. “The driver and the subject wrestled over the gun as the other subject allegedly began hitting the driver with his fist. The driver was able to exit the taxi and fell on the street. One of the subjects alledgedly kicked the driver on the head and then got back inside the taxi.”

October 16, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego Sheriff’s office announces several events to raise funds for Sheriff's Child Abuse Detective Ali Perez. Detective Perez was shot and wounded with Sergeant Craig Johnson while they were attempting to arrest a suspected child molester in Lakeside in September.

Sgt. Johnson is recovering at home.

Det. Perez face many months of recovery in the hospital. It is unknown if or when he will return to work. This incident has been a financial hardship for the Perez Family including his two daughters in college.

October 14, 2012 (La Mesa)—A woman carrying her 2-year-old child in the 8000 block of University Avenue in La Mesa was pushed  from behind, then robbed of her purse at 7:30 p.m. last night. 

According to La Mesa Police, the victim was crossing the street when the man shoved her in the back, then stole her purse and fled.  Neither the woman nor her child were injured.  The suspect remains at large.

October 8, 2012 (La Mesa)—A man shot in the head in the 5800 block of Amarillo Avenue in La Mesa on October 4 has been declared brain dead of his injuries. The victim has been identified as Josue Rodriguez, 33. 

Antonio Garcia, 32, of La Mesa has been arrested and will be booked for murder, according to La Mesa Police.

Authorities are also looking for a second man, described as Hispanic, who was seen leaving the scene in a silver Honda with two women in the vehicle, La Mesa Today reported.

October 5, 2012 (East County) -- Former Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) Matthew Harvey Hedge has reported to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department License and Registration Division on October 3, 2012 that he is now a transient in the areas of Spring Valley and Lemon Grove.

Since the court lifted his designation as an SVP on September 28, 2012, Hedge is free to live and go anywhere. He is no longer required to wear a GPS tracking device. He has served the sentence imposed by the court and is not currently on parole or probation.  Hedge is required to notify the Sheriff's Department of his whereabouts every 30 days.

October 5, 2012 (El Cajon)--El Cajon Police responded to calls reporting gunshots heard in the 1300 block of Oakdale this evening at 7:40 p.m. Upon arrival, officers found a 22-year-old man with a non-life threatening gunshot wound to his leg.

"Officers were able to determine there was some type of argument in the street just prior to the shooting. The victim was transported to an area hospital. It is unclear at this time what led to the shooting," said Lt. Mike Moulton.

October 5, 2012 (Spring Valley)—Last night around 10:35 p.m., Lemon Grove Deputies received a radio call reporting a strong arm robbery at the 7-11 store at 103 Worthington St. in Spring Valley. One suspect was a Hispanic male with a large build, shaved head, goatee, and multiple tattoos, wearing a white tank top and black shorts. The second suspect was a Hispanic female, average build, wearing a black tee-shirt and black spandex pants. Both suspects entered the store and selected one 18-pack of Miller light and one 18-pack of Bud light.

Additional details released by Chula Vista Police

October 3, 2012 (Chula Vista)- A young mother of five who was shot to death September 28 after striking a plainsclothes Border Patrol officer with her vehicle was on probation for possession of drug paraphernalia in a 2011 offense, Captain Gary Wedge with the Chula Vista Police told ECM today. “She also had a prior conviction for possession of methamphetamine.”   

Chula Vista Police Department is continuing its investigation into the death of Valeria Munique Tachiquin-Alvarado. Today, the Department released additional details on the shooting.  

“There is a troubling and growing pattern of abuse and excessive use of force committed by Border Patrol agents; our community demands to know what led to such a brutal act by that plainclothes agent.” – Pedro Rios, director of the American Friends Service Committee U.S. Mexico Border Program

October 1, 2012 (Chula Vista)—Family members  and human rights advocates seek answers  from authorities following the bizarre shooting death of Valeria Tachiquin-Alvarado, 32, mother of five young children, by a Border Patrol officer in plainclothes.  A candlelight vigil for the victim is planned tonight at 6 p.m.

Witness accounts vary sharply from the initial report released by authorities.  The San Diego Medical Examiner has ruled the death a homicide.

September 29, 2012 (La Mesa)—A man waiting at a bus stop in the 5200 block of Baltimore Drive in La Mesa reported that he was robbed at knife point at 6:05 this morning.  The victim told police that a gold-four door sedan pulled up by the bus stop. A man with a goatee got out and held a knife to the victim’s side while a woman grabbed the victim’s backpack.

Sgt. Craig Johnson, also wounded, is recovering after surgery

Suspect pleads not guilty to attempted murder

By Miriam Raftery

September 27, 2012 (El Cajon )—The San Diego Blood Bank seeks blood donations for San Diego Sheriff Detective Ali Perez, who is in critical condition after being shot with a high-powered rifle yesterday during an attempted arrest in Lakeside. 

By Miriam Raftery

September 25, 2012 (Lakeside) – Two Sheriff’s deputies have undergone surgery after they were shot by a man suspected of child abuse, Captain Duncan Fraser said.  The suspect also suffered wounds, though it is unclear whether they were self-inflicted or if he was shot by deputies.

All three were transported to hospitals and details of their condition has not been released.Authorities have not yet identified the deputies or the suspect.However a woman who said she was the suspect’s girlfriend told media that she found pornographic photos of her boyfriend, Dan Witczak, 30, with one of her two young daughters, 6 and 8.