Crime Beat

71-YEAR-OLD STABBING VICTIM SUCCUMBS TO INJURY; HOMELESS SUSPECT IN CUSTODY

By Rachel Williams

October 17, 2024 (El Cajon) — In the seam of Benedict Ave’s 800 block at around 9:15 p.m. on Oct. 5, a chilly Saturday night two weekends ago, El Cajon police officers responded to a 911 call reporting the stabbing of a 71-year-old man, Steven Barron, who suffered a wound to his torso. He was quickly transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. 


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DA AND EAST COUNTY CHAMBER HOST PUBLIC SAFETY ZOOM WORKSHOP OCT. 10 AT NOON

By Jonathan Goetz
 
September 27, 2024 (San Diego) -- Join San Diego County's District Attorney Summer Stephan at noon Pacific time Thursday, October 10 for an hour in a virtual Public Safety Workshop. Please register with the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce here.

 

 

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PEER SUPPORT, COUNTY JOBS FAIR HELP INCARCERATED PEOPLE REENTER COMMUNITY

Photo:  This panel of local peer support specialists spoke about their jobs and training at a job fair.

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

September 23, 2024 (San Diego) -- San Diego County recently teamed up with the San Diego Workforce Partnership to hold a job fair for people who have a history of incarceration.

Serving time in jail, drug or alcohol use or mental health challenges may not sound like something that a job applicant would highlight. But in the peer support field, that background is called lived experience and is considered an asset, when paired with specialized training to help people who struggle with similar challenges.


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6 MYTHS ABOUT CALIFORNIA CRIME AS VOTERS NOW FAVOR THIS MEASURE ON DRUGS, RETAIL THEFT

 
Photo by Loren Elliott for CalMatters: A security guard stands by the front entrance of a luxury retail storefront. 
 
CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters.
 
September 22, 2024 (Sacramento) -- Californians have gone back and forth on crime and punishment for years. 
 
 
Twenty years later, in 2014, nearly 60% of voters approved Proposition 47, which sought to reduce the state’s prison and jail populations by changing some felony crimes into misdemeanors and directing more state money to drug and mental health rehabilitation. 
 
Now, another 10 years on, Californians are apparently ready to reverse course again by undoing some of the changes made by Prop. 47. A new poll shows they support by a wide margin the November ballot measure Proposition 36, which would toughen sentences for certain property and drug crimes.  

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MEDICAL EXAMINER RULES JAIL DEATH OF DIABETIC HOMICIDE, FAMILY PLANS LAWSUIT AGAINST COUNTY

By Miriam Raftery

September 21, 2024 (San Diego) – San Diego County’s Sheriff’s department has been under scrutiny for years over its high rate of jail deaths. Despite numerous reforms implemented by Sheriff Kelly Martinez that have reduced the overall number of prisoner deaths, yet another shocking death has sparked a lawsuit against the County—this time, a diabetic man who pleaded for insulin, as did fellow inmates on his behalf. His empty insulin pump beeped for nearly 24 hours before the man was found dead in his jail cell.

Keith Galen Bach, 62, of Chula Vista died in San Diego’s Central Jail a year ago, on Sept. 28. He was arrested Sept. 25 on charges of vandalism and making criminal threats. He was hospitalized briefly due to diabetic-related illness before being jailed; at the time of his arrest he had informed staff he would run out of insulin the next day, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.


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LIVED EXPERIENCE AS A JOB QUALIFICATION

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office
 
Photo from County of San Diego Communications Office: This panel of local peer support specialists spoke about their jobs and training at a job fair.
 
September 21, 2024 (San Diego) -- The County recently teamed up with the San Diego Workforce Partnership to hold a job fair for people who have a history of incarceration.

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$1,000 REWARD OFFERED FOR INFO ON KILLER OF HOMELESS WOMAN IN LA MESA

By Miriam Raftery

September 20, 2024 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police are seeking tips to identify the killer of a homeless woman, 52, last night. Officers responded to a 9-1-1 call at 10:33 p.m. reporting an  unconscious woman with a serious head injury inside a solo encampment in the 8000 block of High Street in La Mesa. 

“Responding officers found the female and sought to render first aid, but unfortunately the victim was deceased,” says Sergeant Jose Gaytan.  A white male adult with a beard was seen leaving the area a few hours prior to the initial call and is a person of interest, but there is no further description.

“Initial information gathered by investigators revealed the victim, a 62-year-old white female known to be homeless in the La Mesa area, was inside her encampment when the attack occurred. Evidence at the scene indicates that the attack likely occurred within hours of the victim being discovered," Sgt. Gaytan says.


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EL CAJON POLICE CHIEF MICHAEL MOULTON RETIRES

East County News Service

September 20, 2024 (El Cajon) -- After nearly three decades of distinguished service with the El Cajon Police Department, Chief Michael Moulton has announced his retirement effective December 17.  Chief Moulton’s tenure spans over 29 years, beginning his career with the department in November 1995.

 He has served as the fifteenth Chief for the department, a milestone reflecting his long-standing role in the growth and evolution of the department. Chief Moulton has served in every division throughout his career. From starting in the Community Policing Unit to becoming a detective in the Gang Suppression Unit, Moulton’s contributions have been vast and varied. In September 2019, City Manager Graham Mitchell appointed Mike Moulton as the Chief of Police, positioning him to guide the department through some of its most challenging times, including the global pandemic and the civil unrest of 2020.


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I-8 CLOSURE SATURDAY MORNING FOR SDPD OFFICER'S FUNERAL PROCESSION

East County News Service

September 20, 2024 (San Diego's East County) --  Motorists should expect a delay traveling on eastbound Interstate 8 (i-8) Saturday, September 21 between 7:15 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. from Interstate805 to Greenfield Drive in El Cajon for the Funeral Procession of San Diego Police Officer Austin Machitar, who died of injuries sustained when a suspect crashed into his patrol vehicle during a chase. The procession will also affect the following ramps:

Eastbound I-8 at Interstate 15 (I-15)

Southbound I-15 to eastbound/westbound I-8

Northbound I-15 to eastbound I-8

Eastbound I-8 off-ramp to Mission Gorge Road/Fairmount Avenue

Southbound State Route 125 (SR-125) to eastbound I-8

Northbound SR-125 to eastbound I-8

Southbound State Route 67 to eastbound I-8


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23-YEAR-OLD DIES FROM GUN SHOT WOUND(S) IN LEMON GROVE

 
 
Update September 24, 2024 --The victim has been identified as 23-year-old Darron Willie Singleton Jr., from Lemon Grove. The Medical Examiner has confirmed this was a homicide and cause of death was gunshot injuries.
 
East County News Service
 
September 19, 2024 (Lemon Grove) -- On September 18, 2024, at about 10.55 p.m., the Sheriff's Office Communication Center received several phone calls of gun shots in the 2200 block of Dain Ct., in Lemon Grove. 
 
Deputies from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department arrived on scene at about 11 p.m. and discovered a 23-year-old black male lying in the street with at least one gunshot wound to his torso. Deputies immediately began lifesaving measures until relieved by San Miguel Fire Department personnel. Unfortunately, the victim succumbed to his injuries on scene.

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RAMONA SCHOOL THREAT UNFOUNDED, SHERIFF SAYS

East County News Service

September 13, 2024 (Ramona) –Yesterday morning before 9 a.m., the Ramona Sheriff's Substation was notified by Olive Pierce Middle School about a threat of a possible school shooting. After an investigation, authorities have concluded the threat was unfounded.

Deputies arrived at the school within minutes. For the safety of students and staff, school administrators made the decision to place the school on a limited lockdown while deputies investigated the incident.    

After a thorough search of the entire campus, deputies did not find anything suspicious at Olive Pierce Middle School. No one was hurt.

Out of an abundance of caution, deputies also conducted security sweeps at Ramona High School and Ramona Community Montessori School and provided extra patrols at all three campuses until the end of the school day.


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EX-MANZANITA TRIBAL POLICE CHIEF SENTENCED FOR SELLING FAKE BADGES

By Miriam Raftery

September 10, 2024 (Boulevard, CA) –Former Manzanita Tribal Police Chief Anthony Reyes Vasquez, 52, was sentenced Monday in federal court in San Diego for selling hundreds of badges and stealing $300,000 from the Manzanita Band of the Kumeyaay Nation. Vasquez pleaded guilty to the charges in 2021.  

Though he could have faced up to 10 years in prison, he was sentenced to only 10 months of home confinement, 12 consecutive weekends in custody ,and three years of probation. He has also agreed to pay restitution to the tribe for the $300,000 in stolen funds—nearly half of the $700,000 in “donations” obtained for the bogus police badges.

Prosecutors have said that tribal leaders did not know that Vazquez was selling police badges and police department “memberships” to unqualified people, granting them police privileges including the right to concealed carry weapons permits.


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SANTANA SHOOTER HAS FIRST PAROLE HEARING TUESDAY

Update September 11, 2024 -- Parole has been denied for Williams. At yesterday's hearing, Board of Parole Hearings Commissioner Kevin Chappell stated that Williams still poses a threat to public safety, telling Williams "“By your testimony today, it is really unclear if you understand why you committed this horrendous act of violence.”  Testimony was overwhelmingly against Williams' release, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

By Miriam Raftery

September 9, 2024 (Santee, CA) – It’s been 23 years since 15-year-old Charles Andrew “Andy” Williams took his father’s revolver to school and repeatedly opened fire, killing two students and injured 13 other people at Santana High School in Santee.

Tomorrow, as the result of a new law regarding youthful offenders, he will have his first parole hearing—drawing a strong response from community members, many stilll traumatized by loss and grief.


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VICTIM IDENTIFIED IN LEMON GROVE SHOOTING DEATH; SUSPECTED ARRESTED

East County News Service

Update Sesptember 9, 2024:  The victim has been identified as Diego Omar Valera-Trujillo.  A suspect, Joshua Gonzalez, 27, has been arrested near his home on Lincoln Ave. in Lemon Grove. He will be charged with murder.

September 8, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – A 21-year-old  man has died in the hospital after being shot multiple times last night in Lemon Grove.

Sheriff’s deputies were on Lemon Grove Avenue when they heard several gunshots at 11:34 p.m. While checking the business area, they were told that  a group of people were arguing in the 3100 block of  School Lane. Deputies searched the area and found the victim.  They provided medical aid until Heartland Fire Department arrived and transported the victim to a hospital, where he died of his injuries.


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MAN ARRESTED FOR SETTING FIRE TO HIS RENTED HOME IN EL CAJON

By Miriam Raftery

September 7, 2024 (El Cajon) – San Diego Police have arrested Jose Orozco, 53, for arson, after a landlord-tenant dispute. After the bedroom in his El Cajon residence on Coker Way was set on fire Friday night, detectives from El Cajon Police Dept. found   plastic bottle filled with gasoline and a rag on top in his vehicle. 

Orozco was later found by San Diego Police Department and arrested. He is charged with arson and possession of a destructive device.


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FIVE ARRESTED IN EL CAJON RETAIL THEFT OPERATION, STOLEN PROPERTY RECOVERED

East County News Service

September 6, 2024 (El Cajon) --Investigators from the El Cajon Police Department conducted a retail theft operation in collaboration with the Home Depot in El Cajon to combat the ongoing theft issues facing our local businesses. Investigators worked closely with store staff to surveil and arrest thieves in real-time without a delayed response.

“This one-day operation netted five arrests and led to the recovery of stolen merchandise from the store,” says Sergeant Kevin Reilly.


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JUSTICE DEPT. INDICTS RUSSIAN CONTROLLED MEDIA EMPLOYEES FOR ATTEMPTING TO COVERTLY INFLUENCE U.S. ELECTIONS

View the indictment here

Source: U.S. Dept. of Justice

September 4, 2024 (Washington D.C.) – Attorney General Merrick Garland today announced criminal indictments against two Russian nationals in a scheme to spread disinformation across social media under covert identities posing as U.S.-based media outlets. Their aim was to illegally influence the 2024 election, sow division among Americans, and spread propaganda favorable to Russia regarding its invasion of Ukraine. 

The defendants, Kostiantyn “Kostya” Kalashnikov and Elena “Lena”Afanasyeva, are both employees of Russia’s state-controlled media outlet in Moscow,  RT, formerly known as Russia Today.


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ARRESTS MADE FOR ASSAULT, ROBBERY IN RAMONA

Investigation leads to discovery of illegal firearms
 
East County News Service
 
August 28, 2024 (Ramona) – Two suspects are under arrest for allegedly stealing items at the Stars gas station in Ramona and assaulting employees on August 10 shortly before 3:30 a.m.
 
This morning, deputies served a search warrant related to the robbery investigation. During a search of a home in the 1700 block of San Vicente Road, Deputies located items connected to the robbery while searching the home. They also found two privately manufactured firearms, commonly referred to as ghost guns, says Sergeant Sean Gallagher.

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SDPD OFFICER KILLED, SECOND OFFICER SERIOUSLY INJURED AFTER SUSPECT STRUCK VEHICLE

By Miriam Raftery

Updated August 29, 2024 with identity of the teen suspect who died at the scene following a pursuit.

August 28, 2024 (San Diego) –  A San Diego Police officer is dead and a second officer hospitalized in critical condition after their patrol vehicle was struck by a suspect following a high-speed chase. The suspect also died at the scene on Clairemont Mesa Blvd. west of I-805 around 11:30 p.m. on Monday.

Ironically, the chase initiated by other officers had been called off to protect public safety, shortly before the suspect slammed into the vehicle driven by Officer Austin Machitar, who was responding to a call to assist with the pursuit. A field training officer who appeared in SDPD recruitment flyers and videos, Officer Machitar had just celebrated his 30th birthday when the deadly crash occurred. He died at the scene.

Officer Zach Martinez, 27, a Navy reservist trained by Machitar, was in the patrol vehicle’s passenger seat during the crash. As of yesterday, he remained hospitalized at Sharp Memorial with serious injuries.

The suspect has been identified as Edgar Giovanny Oviedo, 16, of San Diego.


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EXPLOSIVES-DETECTING DOGS JOIN SHERIFF’S K-9 FORCE

Source: San Diego County Sheriff
 
August 25, 2024 (San Diego) -- Four new dogs trained in detecting explosives and firearms are now on duty with the K-9 Unit of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.

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INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY IN LAKESIDE SHOOTING

East County News Service
August 21, 2024 (Lakeside) -- The Lakeside Sheriff's Substation is investigating a shooting that sent a man to the hospital early Monday morning.
 
It happened just after a dreadful Sunday night and into the morning of August 19. Sheriff's Deputies were called to the 12000 block of Woodside Avenue for a report of a shooting. When they arrived, they found a 24-year-old man who had been shot multiple times. He was taken to the hospital, where he is listed in stable condition.

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HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION IN BOULEVARD

East County News Service

Update August 21, 2024:  The victim has been identified as Arthur Stephen Andreatta, 74.

August 19, 2024 (Boulevard) – The Sheriff’s homicide unit is investigating the death of a 75-year-old man found dead with head trauma inside his home in the 900 block of Tierra Del Sol Road in Boulevard.

Cal Fire  called for deputies from the Pine Valley Sheriff’s station to assist after finding the man unresponsive and later pronouncing him dead.


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BILL TO MAKE IT EASIER TO ARREST SUSPECTED SHOPLIFTERS PASSES ASSEMBLY

By Bransen P. Harper

August 4, 2024 (Sacramento)--Several weeks ago, the California State Assembly voted for a new bill that aims at making the streets a little bit safer for everyone. Assembly Bill 1990 would give police officers greater power in making arrests to prevent shoplifting of property that exceeds $950.

This bill would authorize a peace officer to make a warrantless arrest for a misdemeanor shoplifting offense not committed in the officers presence, if the officer has probable cause to believe the crime occurred, per Digital Democracy CA Matters.


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FOREIGN-BASED SCAMMERS ARRESTED FOR BILKING SENIORS

East County News Service

August 2, 2024 (San Diego) – The U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Diego announces the arrest of five Chinese nationals accused of participating in a fraud and money laundering scheme that bilked more than 2,000 seniors out of over $27 million.

The five defendants and their co-conspirators allegedly ran a multinational organized fraud ring targeting elderly victims across the U.S. from 2021 through June 2024. Conspirators contacted victims through pop-up ads, emails and phone calls to con victims into contacting scam call centers in India, the indictment indicates. Conspirators worked to build trust with victims, and in many cases, had victims install remote desktop software that they used to gain access to victims’ computers, accordingto prosecutors.

The scammers allegedly adopted a number of guises – posing as technical support, government and bank workers – to induce victims to send money to other conspirators, including the five defendants charged in the indictment.


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ANOTHER MURDER-SUICIDE CONFIRMED AT LANTERN CREST IN SANTEE

By Miriam Raftery

Updated 2:45 p.m.

July 31, 2024 (Santee) – An autopsy confirms that a couple found dead with head trauma yesterday morning at the Lantern Crest senior living facility in Santee died of gunshot wounds. The Sheriff's homicide unit has concluded that Michael Sheehan, 74, shot and killed his wife, Beverly Slater-Sheehan, then committed suicide.

 The incident is the second time this year that homicide investigators have been summoned to Lantern Crest to investigate suspicious deaths.

In May, homicide investigators were summoned to Lantern Crest to investigate another pair of deaths that were determined to be a murder-suicide. Investigators found that 82-year-old David Soulner fatally shot his wife, 79-year-old Claire Soulner, then  shot and killed himself.


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TWO DEAD IN SANTEE HOME REPORTS COUNTY SHERIFF

East County News Service
 
Two people found deceased inside their residence
 
July 31, 2024 (Santee) -- On July 30, 2024, at about 11:05 a.m., deputies from the Santee Sheriff's Station received a radio call of two deceased elderly adults at a residence in the 300 block of Lantern Way, in Santee. Deputies arrived at the residence and confirmed both were deceased. Deputies found one male and one female deceased inside the residence. Both subjects appeared to have head trauma. The deceased's identifications are being withheld pending confirmation and notification of family members.

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SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR MURDER IN LEMON GROVE HIT AND RUN

East County News Service
 
July 30, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – An arrest has been made in a deadly hit-and-run incident in Lemon Grove. An investigation by detectives with the San Diego County Sheriff's Office's Homicide Unit identified 45-year-old Nicholas Hoskin of El Cajon as the suspect in the murder of Brian Colvin on July 22. 
 
Witnesses told police that the victim was standing in front of the vehicle speaking with its occupants when the driver intentionally accelerated, injuring Colvin who later died at a hospital.

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CALIFORNIA SEES 2022-23 ANTI-LGBTQ+ HATE CRIMES INCREASE REPORTED

California News Service
 
Editor's note: Nationwide statistics show while overall reported hate crimes decreased by about 7% in 2023 compared to 2022, hate crime events motivated by sexual orientation bias increased 3.6%.
 
MP3: Suzanne Potter, Public News Service (CA) 
 
July 29, 2024 (Sacramento) -- Hate crimes against members of the LGBTQ+ community have risen for the second year in a row, according to the latest "State of Pride" report from the California Department of Justice.
 
Between 2022 and 2023, the report showed hate crimes motivated by anti-LGBTQ bias increased more than 86% across the state.

CA vs Hate crime reporting


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NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AUGUST 6; LARGEST LOCAL EVENT IS AT EL CAJON'S PARKWAY PLAZA

East County News Service
 
July 28, 2024 (El Cajon) -- The City of El Cajon is set to host San Diego County’s biggest National Night Out celebration on Tuesday, August 6th from 5-9 p.m.17:00 at Parkway Plaza. This annual event, which strengthens police-community partnerships and neighborhood unity, is expected to draw thousands of attendees from El Cajon and surrounding areas.
 
This year’s theme, “The Cops Are Throwing a Party and Everyone’s Invited!”, guarantees an action-packed evening. The El Cajon Police Department, alongside with partner agencies such as the California Highway Patrol and United States Border Patrol, will headline a series of exciting activities and demonstrations.

Also Treganza Park 17:00-20:00 and 17:00-19:00 : Santee YMCA and


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RETAIL THEFT OPERATION NETS FIVE ARRESTS, STOLEN PROPERTY RECOVERED

East County News Service
 
July 27, 2024 (El Cajon) -- Investigators from the El Cajon Police Department conducted a retail theft operation in collaboration with two major retailers to combat the ongoing theft issues facing our local businesses. Investigators worked closely with store staff to surveil and arrest thieves in real-time without a delayed response. This one-day operation netted five arrests and led to the recovery of over $800 in merchandise. Four arrestees were juveniles and were released to their guardians after processing, according to Sgt. Kevin Reilly.
 

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