East County News Service

February 28, 2019 (Lakeside) — Lakeside Sheriff’s substation will hold a Coffee with the Community event on Tuesday, March 12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Lakeside Community Center, 9841 Vine St., Lakeside.

“Community outreach is a top priority of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.  Members of the community should feel comfortable bringing problems related to safety and security to our staff,” a press release from the Sheriff’s department states.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: 10 News

Update February 27, 2019: The victim has been identified as Melanie Benitez, 27.  Paraschak, 42, has been charged with murder.

February 24, 2019 (Alpine) – A man armed with two guns was arrested yesterday for killing a woman in Alpine. Paul Paraschak has been charged with murder, Lt. Rich Williams told 10 News.

East County News Service

February 20, 2019 (La Mesa) -- Today, the La Mesa Police Department’s Traffic Unit hosted the County-wide Inter-agency Traffic Enforcement Team which consists of motorcycle traffic enforcement officers from all over the County of San Diego, who meet once a month for the specific purpose of targeting primary collision factors and reducing traffic violations in problem areas.

Action comes on heels of countywide firearms trafficking investigation

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

Photo: Capt. Marco Garmo,10 News

February 14, 2019 (Rancho San Diego) -- Capt. Marco Garmo, who most recently headed up the Rancho San Diego substation of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department has been placed on an administrative leave until further notice, according to ECM news partner 10News.

On the same day that the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted raids throughout San Diego County, including the large sprawling Jamul estate of San Diego jeweler Leo Hamel due to a firearms trafficking investigation, Garmo was put on leave. The Rancho San Diego substation covers the same area of Hamel’s property.

Sheriff Gore, in a e-mail obtained by 10News yesterday, states that he was made aware of potential criminal conduct by Garmo by a senior member of the Sheriff’s Department, and implies that the removal of Garmo is linked to the broader federal investigation involving Hamel’s properties.

By Robert Gehr

February 13, 2019 (El Cajon) -- On my walk earlier Wednesday morning, I encountered a shattered store front window at Maximon Botanica, 127 N. Magnolia Ave. in El Cajon. The faith establishment sells a wide variety of religious items.

East County News Service

February 13, 2019 (San Diego) -- The ACLU Foundation of San Diego & Imperial Counties (ACLUF-SDIC) on Monday filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit by several police unions seeking to prevent the release of police misconduct records as required by the state’s new law, the “California Public Records Act” (SB 1421). The ACLU demands that local law enforcement agencies act immediately to comply with the new law.

By Miriam Raftery

February 9, 2019 (Rancho San Diego) – Roberto Inchaurregui III, 27, of Spring Valley was arrested Feb. 7 for a stabbing that occurred Feb. 2 at the Arco AM/PM Mini Mart in Spring Valley.

Sheriff’s detectives from Rancho San Diego and the Crime Suppression Team arrested Inchaurregui at his parole agent’s office, then served a search warrant on the suspect’s home, where they recovered other items further linking Inchaurregui to the crime, says Sgt. Matt Cook II.

He was booked into the San Diego County Jail.

Assemblywoman Shirley Weber (D-San Diego) carrying legislation

By Laurel Rosenhall | CALmatters

CALmatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

February 3, 2019 (Sacramento) -- Jamilia Land walked out of a meeting in the state Capitol feeling optimistic that 2019 may be the year California changes the law to try to reduce the number of people killed by police.

East County News Service

Photo:  Murder suspect Zachary Bunney mugshot via Washington County, OR Sheriff 

January 28, 2019 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police announce that they have solved a grisly murder case from 12 years ago using DNA testing.

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By Miriam Raftery

January 23, 2019 (San Diego) — San Diego ranks among the 13 worst regions in the nation for human trafficking, according to the FBI.  The underground sex economy locally is worth an estimated $810 million a year. To combat this crisis and help protect vulnerable young people, District Attorney Summer Stephan has announced three new programs to bring human trafficking education, prevention and awareness training to kids and teens in all public schools countywide.

By Miriam Raftery

January 11, 2019 (Santee) — The Sheriff’s department seeks public help to find a white male in a dirty, newer model white Ford F-150 pickup truck lifted rims. The driver reportedly  tried to trick a 12-year-old boy into accepting a ride. The suspect is described as in his 40s with short blond hair, stubble on his face, wearing a brown Hurley baseball cap and short-sleeved plaid shirt in white and blue.

By Miriam Raftery

January 5, 2019 (Jacumba Hot Springs) — Disturbing results of a new mental health evaluation have halted the state’s plan to release Alvin Quarles into the Jacumba Hot Springs community in San Diego’s East County.