Public comments accepted between Oct. 8-18 and at hearing Nov. 15 in San Diego

September 27, 2013 (Campo) –  The Department of State Hospitals is proposing to release  a violent sexual predator, Douglas Badger, 70, from a state mental hospital and placing him at 30033 Hartfell Road in Campo.  Badger has been convicted of kidnapping and raping young male hitchhikers and sexually assaulting a young girl.  He’s been diagnosed as a sexual sadist, served several terms in prison and the past 18 years in a state mental hospital. 

“Given his violent history as a serial sexual predator, Douglas Badger forfeited his freedom long ago and should be locked up for good,” Supervisor Dianne Jacob stated in a media release. “It’s especially outrageous that this vile man would be housed at a location in Campo that is only four miles from two schools and a mile from a park where children gather and play.”

September 25, 2013 (San Diego) – Campus police have issued an alert for students following two thefts of cell phones at 3:30 this afternoon. 

In one case, the suspects approached and asked to use the victim’s cell phone. The suspects started to dial the phone and then ran off with it.  In the second case, the phone was taken by force.  The suspects fled the scene in a white or champagne colored four-door sedan, possibly a Lexus.  The victims were not injured.

By Miriam Raftery

September 24, 2013 (Sacramento) – Under a court order to reduce California’s prison population by 9,600 prisoner’s at year’s end to relieve overcrowding or face contempt of court charges, Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law Senate Bill 105. 

The bill provides that Brown will ask a panel of judges to delay the order to allow the state time to expand rehabilitation programs to reduce the prison population, including mental health and substance abuse treatment.  But if that request is rejected, SB 105 will shift thousands of inmates to county jails and to private, out-of-state prisons.

September 12, 2013 (San Diego) – Campus police at San Diego State University have issued a crime alert bulletin to warn students about robbers who struck a victim in the head last night.   Around 10:25 p.m.,  four males approached two SDSU students in the patio area of the Senor Poncho’s Mexican Grill  at 5100 College Avenue.  Two suspects took the victim's cell phone and fled.  The victims gave chase.  One victim was able to get his cell phone from the suspect; the other victim was struck in the head while confronting the second suspect.

September 11, 2013 (Grantville) – At 7:55 p.m. on September 7, a man entered the Rite-Aid at 6505 Mission Gorge Road. The man walked up to the counter with some items. He pulled out a knife and demanded cash from the clerk. The clerk refused to give him any cash. The suspect fled and the clerk followed the suspect of the store.

September 10, 2013 (El Cajon) – On September 8 at 3:13 p.m., Lemon Grove Sheriff’s deputies received a call of a residential burglary in progress at a home in the 1800 block of Granite Hills Dr., in unincorporated El Cajon. The homeowner reported that an unknown male suspect jumped out of a window to his home and fled in a black Ford Taurus northbound on Granite Hills Drive.

CHP seeks witnesses to brazen mid-day theft

September 3, 2013 (San Diego) – The California Highway Patrol is warning motorists about two people in a white Crown Victoria equipped with flashing red and blue lights to resemble a police car.  The pair reportedly pulled over a Jeep near the junction of freeways 805 and 905 today at 1:05 p.m.. A Hispanic man wearing a black jacket with “police” across the chest and wearing what appeared to be a holstered handgun on his hip got out of the passenger side of the Crown Victoria. He asked the Jeep driver to get out, then stole the vehicle.

By Miriam Raftery

Update 7:20 p.m. - Sheriff media rep advises Red Cross will be making arrangements for displaced residents overnight.  Check back for details on where a shelter will be set up.

Update 6 p.m. - The stand-off continues. We heard shots repeatedly at our home. Channel 8 reports more than 200 shots have been fired in all directions. 

September 2, 2013 (Mt. Helix) -- A gunman armed with a high-powere rifle has fired shots inside a home in the 9900 block of Grandview on Mt. Helix.  The Sheriff has made reverse 911 calls advising residents within a one mile radius to shelter in place with windows covered. Some homes have been evacuated but deputies are unable to go door to door for evacuations because they would be exposed to fire, according to a Sheriff's notice to media.

The fiancé of the 47-year-old man holed up inside the house told deputies they had an argument and the man threatened to hurt her and himself. The man had been drinking, authorities report. When deputies arrived on scene and tried to contact the suspect, the man threatened to kill the deputies. A few seconds later, shots were fired inside the house. Deputies immediately backed out of the house. Three other people inside the house got out safely and no one has been harmed as of 2:50 p.m.; deputies did not fire a shot, according to the Sheriff..

A SWAT team has been called in and a stand-off is occurring as negotiators try to get the suspect to surrender.  A Sheriff dispatcher advised ECM editor Miriam Raftery, who lives within the perimeter established, that the gunman has a high powered rifle.  A neighbor told 10 News that at least 10 or 15 shots were heard. 

Update August 31:  A gun has been found but the suspect remains at large.

August 30, 2013 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police and the San Diego Sheriff’s helicopter are searching for a suspect after shots were fired at 7520 El Cajon Boulevard in La Mesa shortly after 7:30 p.m.  The incident began with a fight inside a hookah lounge that spilled outside intot he street. The suspect began firing shots at the business, according to police.

The suspect ran north on Comanche and was last seen in the area of 4900 Comanche.  He is described as a black male, 6 feet tall, 250 lbs, wearing a blue shirt and dark pants. Call 911 if seen.

Update: A briefcase inspected by investigators has been found to be harmless.

By Nadin Abbott

Part three in a three-part series (Read part one and part two)

August 29, 2013 (Santee) – During the recent forum on child safety held in Santee, Deputy District Attorney Lisa Weinreb and Lisa J. Sawin, Department of Probation Director, spoke on what happens when a child enters the juvenile justice system.

August 29, 2013 (San Diego) – The FBI and San Diego Police Department announced the arrest of Cesar Daniel Flores, age 23, of Santee as a result of the investigation into the robbery of the San Diego County Credit Union, 2245 Fenton Parkway, San Diego on Friday, August 2.

Flores was arrested on Saturday at the Mission Valley Mall after an off-duty FBI Agent spotted Flores at a bus stop.  After seeing Flores, the Agent contacted San Diego Police Department (SDPD) and requested a uniform Patrol Officer to respond to the area. When the agent and SDPD Officer returned to the bus stop they discovered Flores had left the area. After a brief search of the area, Flores was located in the mall and taken into custody without incident.

August 26, 2013 (La Mesa) – Late Saturday night, La Mesa Police were called to the emergency room at Alvarado Hospital to investigate a stabbing. The victim suffered two stab wounds to his thigh that are not considered life threatening.

The victim reported to police that the stabbing occurred around 8:50 p.m. in the 7500 block of El Cajon Boulevard in La Mesa The victim said he was waiting for a friend to give him a ride when he was approached by two males and a fight ensued over his property. The victim fought back and did not lose his property in the robbery attempt.

By Miriam Raftery

August 22, 2013 (San Diego) -- San Diego Sheriff Bill Gore has issued a warning to the public to be careful when buying or selling items on Craigslist--and is offering tips on how to stay safe.

Numerous crimes in our region have been linked to Craigslist, including robberies, assaults and murders.

August 17, 2013 (Lakeside) -- The Santee Sheriff's Station will host a community forum in Lakeside on Tuesday, August 27 at 7 p.m.  The event will be held in the Lakeside Community Center, 9841 Vine Street, Lakeside.  The Sheriff's Department wants to hear your concerns about public safety and your ideas for creting an action plan for safer communities.

Hear from Captain Lisa Miller, Sheriff's deputies, crime prevention specialists, Lakeside Fire Department, County Animal Control, Commuinties Against Substance Abuse (CASA), and the Lakeside Planning Group.