SANTEE KIDNAPPING VICTIM & DEPUTY WHO SAVED HER TO SPEAK AT CRIME PREVENTION FORUM OCT. 4.

October 2011 Articles

October 1, 2011 (San Diego) -- She was choked, savagely beaten, bound and held captive in the trunk of her car without food or water for 26 hours. On that December night in 2008, then 75‐year‐old Sandy Vinge asked God to save her or let her die. Help for Sandy came through Sheriff’s Deputy Marc Snelling who pulled over Jeffrey Nelson for running a stop light in unincorporated El Cajon. She is alive today because of that traffic stop. Nelson is serving life in prison. Nelson’s partner in crime, Luis Osborne is serving 10 years in prison.

On Tuesday, October 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Deputy Snelling and Sandy Vinge will reunite to recognize October as National Crime Prevention Awareness Month. The Crime Prevention Awareness Forum will be held in Training Rooms 1 and 2 of the Sheriff’s Department Main Office at 9621 Ridgehaven Court in Kearny Mesa. Those available to comment:

• Sandy Vinge and Deputy Marc Snelling – what people can learn from the kidnapping and beating case. Sandy first encountered her kidnappers because of an advertisement about a free fruit basket.

• Kristina Nehls – the Sheriff’s Crime Prevention Specialist has a table display of the department’s Crime Prevention programs and upcoming safety events. There are 17 Sheriff’s Crime Prevention Specialists throughout the unincorporated areas and contract cities who provide free services to help keep you safe.

• Matt Funk – the Sheriff’s Senior Crime Analyst has a video showcase of crimemapping.com. It’s a free online tool to map crimes in your area. The program will soon be countywide.

• Deputy Adriana Uribe – Crime Stoppers is on hand to highlight the importance of anonymous tips and its upcoming Light the Night Against Crime event. She will also discuss the case of Jordan Hickey who was shot and killed while riding his bicycle in National City in April.

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