Crime Beat

Three arrested in child abuse investigation, drugs also uncovered

East County News Service
 
April 9, 2026 (Spring Valley) -- Three Spring Valley residents are in custody following an investigation into child abuse that uncovered a stash of narcotics inside a local residence.
 
Detectives from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff's Office on Tuesday assisted Child Welfare Services in executing a search warrant at a home on the 9000 block of Eucalyptus Street. Entering the residence after 2 p.m., authorities detained three individuals: Karina Rice, 31; Diann Whitt, 67; and Jarron Wood, 30.
 

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AB 1959 moves along, inspired by 2001 school shooting at Santana

Story and photo by Karen Pearlman

April 9, 2026 (Santee) — Twenty-five years after teenage student armed with a gun opened fire at Santana High School, survivors and prosecutors are closer to closing a legal loophole they say allows the state’s most violent juvenile offenders to exploit the justice system for early release.

On Tuesday in Sacramento, the Assembly Public Safety Committee voted 8-0 to advance Assembly Bill 1959, a bipartisan measure authored by Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel (D-San Diego). The bill aims to restore judicial discretion in cases involving mass casualties and “heinous” crimes committed by minors.


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Sheriff impounds 10 electric motorcycles, issues citations for violations by e-bikes and e-motorcycles in Santee

East County News Service

March 28, 2026 (Santee) -- Deputies from the Santee Sheriff's Station conducted an enforcement operation on Thursday aimed at addressing the growing number of electric bikes (e-bikes) and electric motorcycles (e-motorcycles) being operated in violation of state and local laws within the City of Santee.


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Suspicious backpack at Santee Sheriff’s station triggers fear of explosives and shutdown of nearby streets

 

By Miriam Raftery

March 27, 2026 (Santee) – A staffer spotted a camouflage backpack near the front entrance of the Santee Sheriff station today at 12:24 p.m. Surveillance video showed a man on bicycle dropping off the suspicious pack. Deputies secured the area and sought help from the Sheriff’s Bomb/Arson detectives.

Patrol deputies conducted a search of the surrounding area for the individual, while the Sheriff’s helicopter issued public address announcements with a description of the subject.

Bomb/Arson detectives assessed the backpack and identified items that appeared to be military-style equipment. As a precaution, nearby streets and sidewalks adjacent to the station were temporarily closed to ensure public safety.  Upon further examination, multiple rounds of high-powered ammunition were recovered from inside the backpack.

Detectives ultimately rendered the backpack safe and confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the public.


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Sheriff not investigating 7 reported rapes at Otay Mesa detention center

 

 

By Wendy Fry and Nigel Duara, CalMatters

Photo:  a CoreCivic vehicle at the Otay Mesa Detention Center. (File photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego)

This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters.

March 27, 2026 (Otay Mesa) - San Diego County Sheriff’s officials failed to investigate at least seven reported sexual assaults at the privately run Otay Mesa immigration detention center in 2025, and records show the agency has ceded control of the cases to civilian administrators employed by the nation’s largest for-profit prison contractor.  


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Expungement program with the county shared by Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe

East County News Service

March 24, 2026 (San Diego County) -- Working to dismantle barriers to employment and housing for formerly incarcerated residents, San Diego County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe of District 4 has announced a new initiative offering a "fresh start" through a mobile expungement service.
 
Montgomery Steppe said she wants to help individuals navigate the complex process of cleaning up adult criminal records.
 
For many, a past conviction remains a permanent roadblock to stability, even years after completing their sentences.

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Jamul shooting victim dies after traveling to Alpine

By Miriam Raftery

March 18, 2026 (San Diego East County) – Deputies from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Station responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon at 12:20 a.m. in the 16000 block of Loose Creek Road in Jamul. Upon arrival, deputies did not locate any victims at the residence.

“Shortly afterward, the Alpine Fire Protection District notified the Sheriff’s Office that a shooting victim had arrived at their station. Emergency personnel initiated lifesaving measures;” says Lt. Juan Marequez with the Sheriff’s department.  Despite those efforts, the man succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the fire station.


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Sheriff identifies man found hanged in jail cell

East County News Service

March 14, 2026 (San Diego) – A man who died of an apparent suicide by hanging in the San Diego Central Jail on March 8 has been identified as Grant Parker, 34.  Parker was arrested February 15 on charges of murder and assault in the stabbing death of a man in downtown San Diego.


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Traffic stop leads to drug arrests in Spring Valley, including convicted felon

East County News Service

March 9, 2026 (Spring Valley) – Two people have been arrested for possession of methamphetamines following a traffic stop for an expired vehicle registration.  Deputies from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff's Station conducted the traffic stop shortly before 2 a.m. on a vehicle driving on State Route 125 near Jamacha Road. 


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Sheriff warns of spike in vehicle thefts of Jeeps by reprogramming key fobs after pursuit and crash in East County

East County News Service

March 4, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – A suspect accused of stealing a Jeep Wrangler in Santee and crashing into parked cars near Parkway Plaza in El Cajon following a pursuit has been arrested and is hospitalized with serious injuries.


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Jeep thefts surge in La Mesa: Thieves using fob hacking to target autos

East County News Service

Feb. 26, 2026 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Police Department is sounding the alarm to the community about rising thefts of recent models of Jeeps.

The police department shares that residents in La Mesa as well as surrounding East County neighborhoods need to be informed of a sophisticated spike in vehicle thefts targeting high-end, newer-model Jeeps.

They say that thieves are pivoting from traditional "smash-and-grab" tactics to high-tech electronic hacking that allows them to drive away in a stolen vehicle in under three minutes.

The primary targets are 2020 and newer Jeep Wranglers and Jeep Rubicons.

Unlike older theft methods that involved hotwiring or physical damage, tech-savvy criminals are using portable electronic devices often marketed as locksmith tools to bypass security. By accessing the vehicle's On-Board Diagnostic port, thieves can communicate directly with the car's computer.

Once connected, the device "tricks" the vehicle into thinking a new key is being programmed. Within moments, the thief has a fully functional electronic key fob, allowing them to start the push-to-start engine and drive away without ever having the original key.


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Man arrested for sexually battering two women in Spring Valley after passerby intervenes to stop assault

East County News Service

February 23, 2026 (Spring Valley) – Andres Sandoval, 47, has been arrested for reportedly sexually assaulting two women Saturday morning near the 3100 block of Bancroft Drive in Spring Valley. 

“A passerby observed Sandoval sexually battering the two women and intervened to stop him,” says Sergeant Timothy Clark with the Sheriff’s Rancho San Diego station.


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GUHSD Superintendent backs DA’s appeal against potential release of 2001 Santana shooter

East County News Service

February 10, 2026 (Santee) -- Grossmont Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Kirsten Vital Brulte has sent a letter to District Attorney Summer Stephan expressing full support for her appeal of the San Diego Superior Court’s decision to grant a recall and resentencing hearing for Charles “Andy” Williams, the perpetrator of the 2001 Santana High School shooting.


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Over 20 guns, military armored vests, stolen vehicles, drugs and fraud lab recovered during high-risk search in Spring Valley

East County News Service

February 7, 2026 (Spring Valley) - Sheriff's Deputies have arrested Bruce Brian Ron, 34, on drug, weapon and fraud charges after serving a high-risk search warrant at a home in the 10300 block of Del Rio Road in Spring Valley yesterday at 6 a.m.


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Felon arrested in Spring Valley on drug and weapons charges

East County News Service

February 6, 2026 (Spring Valley) – Shortly before 1:30 a.m. yesterday, Sheriff’s deputies from the Rancho San Diego station found a vehicle illegally parked in the1000 block of Grand Avenue in  Spring Valley with several people inside. Deputies discovered that the driver, Dominique Lewis, was a convicted felon on parole.


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SDPD releases body cam video of officer-involved shooting in Spring Valley

East County News Service

January 30, 2026 (Spring Valley) – A stolen car pursuit on January 22 ended with a San Diego Police officer shooting and injuring the suspect.  SDPD has released video on the department's YouTube channel within hours of the shooting.


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Domestic violence suspect arrested after threatening deputies

East County News Service

January 30, 2026 (Lemon Grove) -- Aaron Brozek, 49, has been arrested for felony domestic violence, as well as weapons and narcotics charges.  


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Lakeside school employee arrested for sexual abuse of minor

East County News Service

January 28, 2026 (Lakeside) – Kent Cable, 55, an employee of the Lakeside Union School District in a non-teaching role, has been arrested on charges of sexually abusing a minor. Charges include three counts of sexual penetration with a child 10 years old or younger and four counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a child under age 14.


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Spring Valley man arrested for threatening to kill neighbor

East County News Service

January 28, 2026 (Spring Valley) – Dimone Cater, 33, has been arrested for allegedly making criminal threats, following an hours-long SWAT standoff in Spring Valley last night.

Deputies from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s station responded shortly after 5:30 p.m. on January 26 to the neighbor dispute in the 9800 block of Austin Drive.


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Sheriff’s SWAT team aids LAPD in apprehending felony warrant suspect in Lakeside

East County News Service

File photo via San Diego County Sheriff’s SWAT detail

January 28, 2026 (Lakeside) – Sheriff’s deputies from the Lakeside substation and the San Diego County Sheriff’s SWAT team assisted Los Angeles Police officers to take a “suspected armed and dangerous felony warrant suspect into custody,” according to Lieutenant David Perkins, Lakeside Sheriff’s substation.


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Man arrested for reportedly trying to steal backpack from student in Lemon Grove

East County News Service

January 28, 2026 (Lemon Grove) – Damari Waller, 35, has been arrested for allegedly trying to steal a backpack from a Lemon Grove student yesterday morning shortly before 8 a.m.

Detectives say a man matching the suspect’s description approached an 11-year-old Lemon Grove Academy student walking to school on Golden Avenue. He reportedly demanded the student's backpack and chased the student to the school, but left the scene before deputies could arrive. No one was hurt.


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Kratom, banned by California, is still for sale in East County stores including synthetic versions linked to numerous deaths

Story and photos by Miriam Raftery

January 24, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – An investigation by East County Magazine has found kratom and synthetic kratom (7-OH) products for sale locally in every East County city, despite the fact that it’s illegal in California to sell or manufacture kratom for consumption. The ban is due to risk of addiction, serious harm, overdose or death, according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Kratom can also cause liver toxicity when used with alcohol.


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County EBT theft drops more than 80% after chip card issued

East County News Service
 
Jan. 23, 2026 (San Diego County) -- More attention to security needs and new chips are making a difference in the safety of electronic benefits cards, also known as EBT cards.
 
San Diego County officials report that enhanced security measures and new chips have led to an 84 percent reduction in EBT card thefts affecting the county’s CalFresh, CalWORKs and General Relief recipients. 
 
Nearly a year ago, the California Department of Social Services issued new EBT cards with chips similar to those in many credit cards. The card expiration date, card security code and all personal information also were moved to the back side of the card. Prior to the shift to improve security, California EBT cardholder information was traditionally printed on the front of the card.

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El Cajon man arrested for rape, sexual assault with multiple underage teen girls

East County News Service

January 23, 2026 (El Cajon) -- Detectives from the El Cajon Police Department Family Protection Unit have concluded an extensive multi-month investigation into allegations of sexual assault and rape, resulting in the arrest of a suspect for numerous serious offenses. On January 21, ECPD arrested Greyson Washborne, alias Thomas Menchaca, 21, of El Cajon.


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Marijuana delivery driver shot during robbery in La Mesa; suspects arrested

East County News Service

January 23, 2026 (La Mesa) – Four suspects are in custody following a robbery in which a marijuana delivery driver was shot, suffering a neck wound. La Mesa Police responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting the shooting, which occurred on January 5 around 4 p.m. at 4700 Williamsburg Lane in La Mesa.

“The victim was transported to the hospital for treatment and is expected to survive,” says Lieutenant Travis Higgins with LMPD.  According to Lt. Higgins, two of the suspects approached the victim, demanding property. “One suspect then shot the victim without warning. The suspects fled southbound through the apartment complex and were not initially located.”


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Santee bank robbery suspect arrested

East County News Service

January 16, 2026 (Santee) – Bruce Clark Furze, 31, was arrested last night while trying to cross the international border pedestrian port of entry at San Ysidro. He is being charged with robbing the Chase Bank on Town Center Parkway in Santee on Monday, January 12, according to Sergeant Justin Crews with the San Diego County Sheriff’s criminal intelligence unit.


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Body armor coming to El Cajon Police Department’s K9 Titan

East County News Service
 
Jan. 15, 2026 (El Cajon) -- Titan, the El Cajon Police Department's resident K9, will receive a bullet and stab protective vest through a charitable donation from nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.
 
K9 Titan’s vest will come within the next 10 weeks and will be embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of Milo.”
 
Since joining the ECPD in July 2025, K9 Titan, now 3, is partnered with Officer Malak Tilko.
 
Police K9s are uniquely trained to support officers in a wide range of duties, from building searches and suspect tracking to narcotics detection and community engagement. Their presence enhances officer safety, increases operational effectiveness, and strengthens public trust.
 
Providing protective equipment to K9s like Titan ensures these highly trained partners are afforded the same level of protection as the officers they serve alongside.

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Santana shooter granted resentencing hearing, may soon be freed

By Miriam Raftery

January 8, 2026 (Santee) – It’s been 25 years since 15-year-old Andrew “Andy” Williams shot and killed two students and injured 13 other people at Santana High School in Santee. He was sentence to 50 years to life in prison. But due to a new state law allowing juvenile offenders with life sentences to petition for resentencing, a Superior Court judge has granted a request from Williams’ attorney for a resentencing hearing that is expected to lead to his release, potentially with two years’ probation, over the objections of District Attorney Summer Stephan, who plans to appeal the ruling.


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Cause of death released on 35-year-old man who died in county jail Aug. 30

East County News Service

January 1, 2026 (San Diego) – The County Medical’s office has determined that Steven Curren, 35, died of natural causes at a hospital on August 30, less than an hour and a half after he was found unresponsive in his cell at San Diego County’s Central Jail.  An autopsy found the cause of death was due to complications of hypertensive cardiovascular disease in the setting of a smaller than normal right kidney. Asthma, chronic ethanol use, and obesity were cited as significant contributing factors.


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Fundraiser to help Marine’s family devastated by crash that killed daughter, 8, near Julian: accused DUI driver charged with murder and faces deportation

East County News Service

December 31, 2025 (Julian) – An online fundraiser at GoFundMe has been set up to help Oscar Cruz Acencio, a U.S. Marine, and his family. On November 30, the family was traveling on San Felipe Road near Julian when a Tacoma truck crossed the center line and hit their vehicle head-on, killing their 8-year-old daughter, Arya.  Acencio, his wife, and their two other children, ages 4 and 5, were all hospitalized with serious injuries.


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