Swift action by Police and Border Patrol canine patrol led to capture of two suspects; Robbery may be part of a series of storefront “smash and grabs”
Update 7:15 p.m.: The two suspects arrested have been identified as Johnny Chenda, 25, and Melissa Ortiz, 21. Both are charged with commercial burglary and conspiracy. The third suspect, who died, has not yet been identified. The security guard has been identified as Jose Jimenez, 58, with Security Industry Specialists in Culver City.
April 4, 2011 (Otay Mesa) – Chula Police Chief David Bejarano has provided an interview with East County Magazine moments after returning from the scene of a fatal shooting at Otay Ranch Town Center shopping mall. He disclosed chilling details of a brazen robbery attempt that ended with one suspect dead following a hail of bullets and a massive response by law enforcement to seal off and search the neighborhood.
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April 4, 2011 (Otay Mesa)—Schools near the Otay Ranch Town Center were placed in lockdown briefly following a shooting at the mall. According to multiple sources, three people smashed a window at the Apple Store shortly before 6:45 a.m.
Chula Vista Police report that 40 rounds were fired in a shootout between a security guard and the suspects.
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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.
April 4, 2011 (Otay Mesa) – Chula Police Chief David Bejarano has provided an interview with East County Magazine moments after returning from the scene of a fatal shooting at Otay Ranch Town Center shopping mall. He disclosed chilling details of a brazen robbery attempt that ended with one suspect dead following a hail of bullets and a massive response by law enforcement to seal off and search the neighborhood.
April 4, 2011 (Otay Mesa)—Schools near the Otay Ranch Town Center were placed in lockdown briefly following a shooting at the mall. According to multiple sources, three people smashed a window at the Apple Store shortly before 6:45 a.m.
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