San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

San Diego County sees a slight drop during the first half of 2009 in violent crime compared to the first six months of 2008, according to a study by the San Diego Association of Governments.

San Diego violent crime including rapes, murders, and aggravated assaults were down during the first six months of 2009. There were 49 murders in 2008 versus 39 during the first half of 2009. San Diego theft crimes were the only violent crimes that saw an increase. Robberies were up 4 percent over the same time as last year.

Property crime had an 18 percent drop off seen during the first six months of 2009, as compared to the same time in 2008, according to SANDAG. Property crime and violent crime rates were the lowest in 10 years.

“While there seems to have been the expectation in some circles that the crime rate may go up with the economic situation in 2009, this has not been the case,” Cynthia Burke, SANDAG’s director of criminal justice research said.

Report: County Violent Crime Rate Down In 2009, 10News.com, October 29,2009

Continue reading " San Diego County Sees a Drop in Violent Crime During First Six Months " »

A man suspected of killing a Rancho Bernardo woman while she was talking on the phone to her mother pled not guilty to homicide charges in court today in front of Judge David Szumowski.

28 year-old Jennifer Jones had just come home from work when Richard Salvidar, the suspected murderer entered her apartment and stabbed her multiple times while she was on the phone with her mother. Police have not disclosed a motive for the assault.

According to Deputy District Attorney Kristen Spieler, the 40 year-old alleged attacker lived in the apartment across from the murder victim on Avenida Venusto in Rancho Bernardo. “This was a completely unprovoked ambush,” said Spieler. The suspected murderer also had scratches and cuts on his arms and after a search of the apartment physical evidence was found.

Saldivar is being held on a $2 million bail and if he is convicted of this Rancho Bernardo murder, he could be facing 26 years to life in prison for the slaying of this young woman.

Neighbor pleads not guilty to killing Rancho Bernardo woman, KFMB News 8, October 27,2009

Neighbor Accused Of Stabbing Woman Pleads Not Guilty, 10News.com, October 27,2009

Continue reading " San Diego Rancho Bernardo Suspected Killer Pleads Not Guilty to Slaying " »

A San Diego area Clairemont Vons security guard sustained life threatening stab wounds while he apprehended a suspected shoplifter at the grocery store on Friday.

The San Diego stabbing occurred at the Vons grocery store in Clairemont in the 5500 Block of Balboa Avenue about 9:00 p.m. while a security guard held the suspected thief for shoplifting. The suspected shoplifter fled the scene after the assault.

The attacker who fled to a nearby apartment building is said to be an Asian man in his twenties, wearing a cut-off tee shirt and black shorts and barefoot.

The Clairemont security guard was transported to San Diego’s Sharp Memorial Hospital where his injuries could be fatal.

Shoplifting Suspect Stabs Vons Security Guard, San Diego 6 The CW, October 24, 2009

Continue reading " San Diego Von’s Security Guard Stabbed in Clairemont " »

In San Diego, a woman from Mira Mesa who stole almost $5000.00 of personal property from lockers at a Santee 24 Hour Fitness Center was sentenced to a three year prison term.

While pretending to be working out at the Santee gym, 36 year-old Tina Waider used a homemade mechanism to open the lockers of others and pilfer their belongings. After being arrested for stealing almost $5000 of stolen property, the thief pled guilty to four counts of grand theft and one count of burglary and ordered to pay back $4800.00 to her victims at an earlier hearing in front of Judge Allan Preckel.

Some of the stolen items were a watch that was valued at $1600.00 and a purse that held approximately $400.00 worth of goods. After a search was made at the thief’s home other stolen items were found, including high end clothes, jewelry, make-up and gift cards.

Tuesday a judge sentenced Waider to spend three years in prison for the Santee theft crimes.

Woman Sentenced For Santee Gym Locker Thefts, 10News.com, October 20,2009

Prison Time for Woman Who Stole from Gym Lockers, San Diego 6 The CW, October 20, 2009

Continue reading " San Diego Women Sentenced To Three Year Prison Term For Fitness Center Locker Thefts " »

In Escondido, a man who was suspected of robbing his ex-girlfriends apartment and steeling her possessions was taken into custody on Monday, according to police.

The Escondido burglary occurred just before 9:30 a.m. in the 1500 block of East Grand Avenue, when 25 year-old Kenneth Saunico broke into his ex-girlfriends apartment window while she was taking a shower, according to Lt. Michael Loarie.

The suspected robber was leaving the residence when the ex-girlfriend spotted him with some of her belongings as she was leaving the bathroom. Police police were called for this Escondido theft crime and shortly after officers saw the suspected thief in his car driving nearby the apartment.

The patrol officers arrested Saunico on suspicion of residential burglary. They found possessions belonging to the victim inside the suspected robber’s car.

Escondido Man Arrested for Stealing Ex-Girlfriend's Stuff, San Diego 6 The CW, October 19,2009

ESCONDIDO: Police say burglar broke into ex-girlfriend's apartment, North County Times, October 20,2009

Continue reading " Escondido Man Taken into Custody on Suspicion of Burglary of Ex-Girlfriend " »

A teenage boy was arrested on suspicion of the murder of his brother in law in Oceanside after officers were alerted of gunfire.

The Oceanside shooting occurred on Sunday just before 9:30 p.m. in the 1200 block of South El Camino Real. The 17 year-old minor shot his brother in law Hector Nava, 26, in his rented apartment in North County. Nava died just before being airlifted to the hospital, according to Sgt. Kelan Poorman.

The shooting victim was the father of a 10 month old and worked as a service station cashier. The motive for the violent crime was undetermined. “Detectives are still investigating the story told to them to determine the reason for the shooting,” said Sgt. Poorman.

The murder suspect, who is a minor therefore his name has not been released was arrested on suspected homicide charges and taken to juvenile hall.

Teen arrested in death of brother-in-law in Oceanside,KFMB News 8, October 19, 2009

Boy, 17, Accused In Death Of Brother-In-Law, 10News.com, October 19, 2009

Continue reading " 17 Year-old Arrested in Oceanside for Suspected Murder of Brother in Law " »

A man was stabbed and robbed in the Harborview area of San Diego on Wednesday, according to San Diego police.

The San Diego attack happened in the 2200 block of Pacific Coast Highway about 10:40 in the morning, when the two men were wrestling over a cell phone that belonged to the stabbing victim.

The thief attacked the man, stabbed him, robbed him then fled on foot to Laurel Street. Police searched the area along with a police helicopter but the bandit got away. The 24 year-old victim was taken to a trauma center for his injuries. It is not known how his condition remains.

The assailant was said to be a black man in his thirties. He wore his hair in a ponytail, and was wearing a grey and black striped shirt with black jeans. The suspect was also carrying a black and blue backpack.

Man Stabbed, Robbed In Harborview Area, 10News.com, October 14,2009

Continue reading " San Diego Area Man Stabbed and Robbed " »

After a seven hour standoff with the SWAT team, a man from Ramona was arrested after tear gas was used to make him surrender, he had aimed a loaded firearm at his girlfriend and threatening to murder her and her two children.

The domestic violent assault happened on Sunday around 10:30 p.m. in the 2600 block of Luelf Street near Dye Road and Southern Oak in Ramona, when Lawrence “Steve” Monterastelli attempted to strangle his 38 year-old girlfriend and threaten the lives of her daughter 12 and her son 9 with his loaded pistol. “Monterastelli also threatened to harm any law enforcement officers called to the scene,” said sheriff’s Detective Aaron Dabbs.

The victim escaped to a neighbor’s house where she was able to call 911 for help leaving her children behind. Once deputies arrived they were able to get the children out of the home safely.

The alleged attacker who was thought to be intoxicated moved to an RV on the property where he refused to turn himself in. After many hours in a standoff, deputies fired tear gas into the recreation vehicle which forced Monterastelli to give himself up.

Deputies arrested Monterastelli and took him to county jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, negligent discharge of a gun, felony spousal abuse, and child endangerment.

Domestic Violence Suspect Arrested after Lengthy Standoff, San Diego 6 The CW, October 13, 2009

Alleged Armed Man Surrenders After Ramona SWAT Standoff, 10News.com, October 12, 2009

Continue reading " Ramona Man Arrested For Domestic Violence After 7 Hour Standoff With SWAT Team " »

San Diego Former Padre was taken into custody then later released on bail after police arrested him for allegedly assaulting his wife.

Marcus Giles was arrested for spousal battery after police were called out by a California Highway Patrol officer around 3:15 a.m. in El Cajon at the intersection of Greenfield Drive and Interstate 8 where the alleged El Cajon spousal battery occurred, according to ECPD Lt. Fenton Sue

Giles wife, Tracy, 30, told the CHP officer that her husband had abused and assaulted her in the car and wanted to place him under citizen’s arrest. The second baseman’s wife was not taken to a hospital for injuries, said Lt. Sue.

The former San Diego Padre, who also played for six seasons with the Atlanta Braves graduated from Granite Hills High School in El Cajon. Giles, who is now a resident of Alpine, was booked on suspicion of domestic violence in San Diego’s downtown jail. Giles was later released on bail.

Former Padres Player Marcus Giles Arrested, San Diego 6 The CW, October 7, 2009

Continue reading " San Diego Former Padre Arrested For Suspected Spousal Abuse " »