October 3, 2013 (Ramona) – The San Diego Narcotics Task Force served search warrants and seized over 8,500 marijuana plants being grown illegally at three outdoor locations on September 24 and 25.   The crops had a cash value of $4.6 million and caused damage to an ecological preserve and open spaces, according to the Sheriff.

One suspect also charged with two deadly shootings in South Bay area 

September 24, 2013 (Alpine) –The San Diego Sheriff’s office today announced the arrests of three men suspected of killing 20-year-old Daniel Rodriguez.   On October 13, 2005, Rodriguez was found under a bridge at Interstate 8 and Tavern Road in Alpine. He had been shot in the head and died three days later. 

On September 19, 2013 a coalition of law enforcement agencies including the Sheriff's Homicide Detail – Cold Case Unit, the East County Gang Task Force, the Chula Vista Police Department, the National City Police Department, and the FBI arrested three suspects for the murder of  Rodriguez. Jose Valdez, 30, John Reyna, 30, and Rashad Lansing , 32, were each booked for murder and conspiracy.

UPDATE September 3, 2013:  The Medical Examiner has identified the deceased shooter as Lionel Silva II.  At 2:16 a.m. the Sheriff sent an advisory that a robot confirmed the shooter is dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.  Most of Grandview has been reopened to residents only, with the exception of Grandview Peak and Angel's Terrace. Murdock School, which was used as a command post, will be open for classes. Below is our earlier report.

By Miriam Raftery

September 2, 2013 (Mt. Helix) – A SWAT team standoff with a suspect who reportedly fired up to 200 rounds in all directions from inside a home at 9952 Grandview Drive  on Mt. Helix continues tonight. A Sheriff's advisory indicates the suspect, 47, is believed to be armed with a rifle, a shotgun and two handguns.

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.

June 29, 2013 (San Diego)—The San Diego Sheriff's Department, Crime Stoppers and the Fugitive Task Force seek public help to locate Ramiro Espinoza, who  has a $1,000,000 arrest warrant for attempted murder, domestic violence, felony assault, as well as a felon in possession of a weapon. Espinoza has a tattoo that says "San Diego" on his stomach. He also has a tattoo picture of Jesus with a thorn crown on his back. Espinoza is known to frequent the South Bay area of the county.

If you see him, do not approach him. Espinoza has a history of violence and should be considered armed and dangerous.

April 27, 2013 (Poway) – A Sheriff’s K-9 dog search team located a body on Thursday, April 25 in the Blue Sky Ecological Preserve on Espola Road.  Searchers had been looking for Richard Carter, who was reported missing Monday by his wife.  Carter’s car was found parked at Blue Sky.

An identification of the body has not yet been made, pending an examination by the Medical Examiner. Cause of death has also not yet been determined.

Carter, 55, was despondent due to family problems, City News Service reported.

April 13, 2013 (Santee) – A Santee security guard who told Sheriff’s deputies that he was shot at in his vehicle and fired back has been arrested for filing a false report, negligent discharge of a firearm and planting evidence.

Lance Wright, 22, an employee of Bravo 3 Security, called 911 shortly before 4 a.m. on April 5 to report that while driving on Woodside Avenue near Highway 67 in Santee, he saw flashing lights.  Wright claimed that as he pulled over, a red Suburban drove by and shots were fired at him, so he fired back.

March 22, 2013 (Santee)--A 14-year-old boy has been booked into Juvenile Hall after making threats against two schoolmates, the San Diego Sheriff’s Department reports.

The principal of Cajon Park Elementary (which has students from kindergarten through 8th grade) school called the Santee Sheriff's Station  yestserday after a female student reported receiving a text message saying she will be killed at school. A second female student received a text message in reference to the killing and a body being hidden.

March 3, 2013 (Spring Valley) – Authorities seek information on an assault by four suspects that occurred last night in Spring Valley.  Lemon Grove Deputies responded at 8:52 p.m. of an assault with a deadly weapon at 9112 Kenwood Dr. in Spring Valley.

According to Sergeant V.J. Rivera, “There were four male Hispanic suspects involved and all were wearing mostly dark clothing. The victim got into a verbal confrontation with one of the suspects after the suspect kicked the victim's car, then it turned physical. During the physical altercation one of the suspects pulled out a knife and cut the victim on his forearm.”

February 23, 2013 (Ramona) –Three men were arrested early February 22 in Ramona following a SWAT operation that led to the seizure of $15,000 worth of marijuana, plus a firearm and $17000 cash.

“The suspects had fortified the residence with a steel security screen door, steel gates and an aggressive dog,” said Sergeant B. Hout with the San Diego Sheriff’s office.

Sheriff’s detectives from the Ramona substation, with assistance form the Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Detail (SWAT team), served a warrant at a residence at 312 Fegahli Road around 6 a.m. Thursday.  The search warrant was the result of a month-long narcotics operation.

February 18, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – A string of 7-11 daytime robberies have been committed by a masked suspect in the past several days.The suspect may be armed with a handgun.

Two robberies occurred yesterday in unincorporated El Cajon at 3 a.m. and 3:12 a.m. The most recent occurred  at the 7-11 on Lake Jennings Road near I-8. The suspect wore  a red mask, gloves and a hood.  Another occurred at Jamacha and Chase a day or so earlier, Lt. Scott Amos with the San Diego Sheriff’s department indicated.  In addition, a similar crime occurred in a neighboring jurisdiction, he added.

February 2, 2013 (Jamul)--Yesterday, the San Diego Sheriff announced the arrest of Quincy Sharp, 20, as an accessory to the murder of Dillon Davis. Davis’ body was found in the trunk of a burning vehicle on Skyline Truck Trail in Jamul on September 20, 2012. 

Two other suspects have previously been arrested and charged with murder: Miles Sharp (Quincy’s brother) and Devin Gaillard.  

December 15, 2012 (Lakeside) – The San Diego Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team performed a hoist rescue last night to save two hikers off El Cajon (El Capitan) Mountain in Lakeside’s El Monte Valley area.

“The hikers reported that they were lost, cold, wet and unprepared for the cold weather,” Sgt. Mike Forbes with the Santee Sheriff Patrol Station reports.

December 2, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—A driver observed driving a Chevrolet Tahoe erratically at a high speed on I-8 early this morning refused to pull over, leading officers on a high-speed pursuit. The driver ultimately exited the freeway in the Granite Hills neighobrhood, lost control and rolled over.

“The driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, exited the vehicle and the CHP Officers ordered him to stop and raise his hands,” Lt. Glenn Giannantonio with San Diego Sheriff’s homicide detail stated. “The suspect made movements leading the officers to believe he was reaching for a weapon while he was advancing toward them. Fearing the suspect would shoot them, one or more of the officers fired their service weapons at him.”