San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

A San Diego robbery of a Point Loma Community Credit Union branch leaves two men in custody, according to San Diego police.

A Point Loma Community Credit Union branch at 1350 Rosecrans St. in the Roseville-Fleetridge area was robbed on Tuesday just after 12:30 p.m. when a man handed a bank teller a demand note to hand over money, according to Sergeant Ramona Hastings of the San Diego police department.

The thief walked out of the credit union branch on Emerson Street with an undisclosed amount of stolen cash where he was met by his accomplice. San Diego police were called by an employee of the bank and a customer who followed the thieves onto Rosecrans Street while keeping a safe distance between them.

Richard Wayne Lewis, 40 and Steven Alfaro, 38 were arrested for the San Diego theft crime and taken into custody on suspicion of robbery. The stolen money was given back to the credit union.

2 In Custody For Credit Union Robbery, 10news.com, February 17, 2010

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An 18 year-old Los Angeles gang member was sentenced to 31 years in state prison for the San Diego fatal shooting of a man after an argument took place outside a San Diego bar.

Christopher Hawthorne, 25 was shot down by Alexander Rafael Garcia who was 17 at the time of the San Diego murder. The teen pled guilty last December to voluntary manslaughter. The violent crime occurred January 9, 2009 after a fight broke outside O’Connell’s bar on Morena Boulevard.

“Your actions that night affected a lot of people, things that we enjoy in life just don’t matter anymore. I hope your stay in prison is painful and lonely,” said Clay Hawthorne Sr., the father of the victim.

According to Garcia’s criminal defense attorney, he belonged to a gang called Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice. The San Diego violent crime was committed for the benefit of the gang he was involved with. Garcia was sentenced to 31 years in state prison for the fatal shooting.

Teen Gang Member Sentenced For Fatal Shooting, 10news.com, February 9, 2010

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A man is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman at gunpoint and stealing her computer and cell phone.

According to the San Diego Police Department, Londrea Raymond, 19, is accused of sexually attacking a 26 year-old woman on Wednesday after following her to her apartment in the 4500 block of Vandever Avenue in Tierrasanta about 10:40 p.m.

After entering her apartment the victim closed the door behind her. The suspect then walked into the apartment and sexually assaulted her. “It appears he may have seen her come into the complex and followed her, said Lt. Rick O’Hanlon. “She was not physically injured but went to a hospital for a sexual exam,” O’Hanlon said.

The suspected thief was taken into custody by San Diego police at the Emerald Hills trolley station on Thursday where he had the victim’s laptop and cell phone in his possession. He was arrested on suspicion of robbery, burglary, kidnapping and sexual assault.

Man Accused In Robbery, Sex Assault To Be Arraigned, 10news.com, February 8, 2010

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In San Diego County there were approximately 260 inmates convicted of nonviolent crimes that were released from jails around the San Diego County now that a new state law that is in effect.

A bill that was signed to reduce the state prison population as part of last year’s budget which will decrease an inmate’s amount of time served by about half. This new rule will be retroactive and the inmate will be credited for time already served.

Jail inmates convicted of San Diego violent crimes or crimes relating to children are not eligible for this new rule that now is in effect. Prisoners that were being released from jails in Otay Mesa or George Bailey were brought by bus to South Bay Jail or downtown where they were able use public transit.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department has been working in conjunction with the Probation Department, Public Defenders Office, County Council and the District Attorney’s Office to decide which inmates, out of about 1600 are eligible for early release.

Local jails release 260 under new state law, Sign on San Diego, January 25, 2010

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A San Diego Del Norte school freshman girl’s soccer coach was released from county jail Friday after being arrested on suspicion of sending a sexual text message to a minor student.

Robin Michael Alarcon an assistant freshman girl’s soccer coach was arrested on Wednesday at the 4-S Ranch campus on suspicion of luring a minor for sexual purposes and sending “harmful matter” to a juvenile.

San Diego sex crime charges were not filed against Alarcon. More investigation is still needed and more questions need to be answered, according to police. The 35 year-old has been “permanently released from all duties” with the Poway Unified School District, according to Sharon Raffer spokeswoman for the district.

This was the second arrest since December when Ryan Paul Carnell, a former Westview High School volunteer wrestling coach was arrested for allegedly molesting a juvenile female student. The 28 year-old Carnell three months earlier pleaded no contest to lewd behavior for sending a picture of his genitals to an underage female student.

School Soccer Coach Arrested for Sexting Released from Jail, San Diego 6 The CW, January 8,2010

HS Coach Accused Of Sexting Avoiding Questions, 10news.com, January 11, 2010

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San Diego police arrested a woman for allegedly stabbing her 48 year-old ex-boyfriend sending him to the hospital with injuries that were considered to be not life threatening, according to police.

The San Diego stabbing happened just before 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at a house during an argument. The victim, after being stabbed in the back made his way to the Par Grocery and Liquor on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard where officers were called, said Officer David Stafford of the San Diego Police Department.

The victim whose name has not been released was taken to a local hospital and treated for a knife wound to the back. Shortly after the attack police found the former girlfriend and arrested her.

The 52 year-old woman who was arrested for this San Diego assault was taken into custody and booked into San Diego’s County Jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. If you are arrested for a crime in San Diego it is in your best interest to have legal representation by an experienced San Diego criminal lawyer to help you with your legal matter.

Woman, 52, Stabs Ex-Boyfriend In Back, 10News.com, December 10, 2009

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A San Diego crime sweep that took place over the weekend in Escondido nets 56 people arrested, including sex offenders and others with warrants out for their arrest, said Escondido police.

The sweep that targeted individuals who could possibly commit a San Diego criminal offense during the holidays ran from Friday at 4:00p.m.and ended Saturday at 2:00 a.m. Affiliates from the California Department of Corrections, Sheriff’s Department, County Probation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the regional Auto Theft Task Force, and the state Alcohol Beverage Control worked in conjunction of the sweep.

Fifty-six people who were suspected of having felonies, misdemeanors or active warrants were taken into custody by police. 13 San Diego registered sex offenders were checked on as well as 100 people who had warrants or on probation. Seventy-five citations were issued and twenty-two cars were impounded by police, according to Lt. Chris Wynn.

If you are arrested for a crime, having the right San Diego criminal defense attorney to defend your case can be one of the most important decisions you make.

ESCONDIDO: 56 arrested in sweep , North County Times, November 15, 2009

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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

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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

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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

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San Diego law enforcement went undercover over a five month multi agency crime investigation in an operation to crackdown on documented gang members in the Skyline area suspected of drug and weapons trafficking, murder, robbery and other violent crimes, 93 have been arrested, said San Diego police.

The undercover operation known as “Operation Red Sky” involved the San Diego police department, along with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office and Probation Department, Ca Parole Dept., the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

Together they seized drugs and narcotics including approximately $60,000 in cash, 19 weapons, and 240 marijuana plants, 20 lbs. of powder and crack cocaine, 10 lbs. of harvested cannabis, 2 lbs. of methamphetamine, 18 vials of PCP, and 3000 ecstasy pills.

“Were using diversion, a hundred-percent increase in the amount of diversion, to really work very closely with the community of San Diego to make it the safest large city in America,” said SDPD Chief William Lansdowne.

Guns And Drugs Seized, 93 Arrested In 'Operation Red Sky', 10News.com, September 28, 2009

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A Carlsbad home invasion robbery ends with two gunmen arrested and taken to jail on suspicion of felony armed robbery.

The Carlsbad robbery occurred about 8:20 p.m. on Wednesday in the 7200 block of San Benito, when two armed men, 27 year-old Francisco Bonillas, and 28 year-old Robert Amador broke into the home of a couple and were later arrested by police, according to Carlsbad police Sergeant Steve Thomas.

The thieves escaped with the stolen goods in a four door white Mitsubishi. Police soon recognized the Mitsubishi on eastbound 78 and was able to make the vehicle come to a halt at San Marcos Blvd. and Grand Avenue.

Amador tried to escape but, was later caught by police. Bonilla gave himself up right away. Police found the weapons and the Carlsbad couples stolen property inside the car. The suspects were taken into custody where they were booked on suspicion of felony armed robbery at the Vista Detention Facility.

Two Arrested for Carlsbad Home Invasion Armed Robbery, San Diego 6 The CW, September 24, 2009

CARLSBAD: Police capture suspects following Carlsbad Burglary, North County Times, September 24, 2009

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A principal of an Oceanside Elementary school who allegedly stole $50,000 over four years from the Oceanside School District and the PTA, pleads not guilty to ten felony counts.

After being charged on August 28 for allegedly steeling $50,000 from the Oceanside Unified School District and the PTA, Paulette Dastrup Thompson pled not guilty to nine counts of grand theft and one count of identity theft during her arraignment on Tuesday in front of Judge David Szumowski.

In February, Thompson took a leave of absence from her position at Reynolds Elementary School after an investigation took place regarding the missing funds. The school district brought the information to the police who then turned over the case to the District Attorney’s Office.

The 59 year-old defendant remains out of custody on her own recognizance. If convicted she could be facing probation to nine years in state prison for the grand theft felony charges, according to Deputy District Attorney Robert Eichler. A November 3rd readiness conference has been set and a December 1st preliminary hearing has been scheduled by Judge Szumowski.

Oceanside Principal Pleads Not Guilty To Grand Theft, 10News.com, September 22,2009

Principal Accused of Stealing $50,000 from School, San Diego 6 The CW, September 22, 2009

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San Diego Chargers Shawne Merriman was arrested at his home in Poway on suspicion of felony battery and false imprisonment for allegedly choking MTV reality star Tila Tequila on Sunday.

According to San Diego County Sheriff’s deputies, 27 year-old Tila made a 911 call at 3:45 a.m. stating that the Chargers outside linebacker choked her, threw her on the floor and physically restrained her from departing his home in Poway.

Tequila was taken to Pomerado Hospital where she was reported to be in good condition. “Deputies did not observe any injuries to her, but she wanted to go and that is her right,” said Jan Caldwell, spokeswomen for the Sheriff’s Department.

“During the evening, Ms. Tequila was extremely intoxicated, inebriated and Mr. Merriman did everything he could to assist her in arranging for transportation to leave his home,” said Todd Macaluso, criminal defense attorney for Merriman, to reporters. “At no time did Mr. Merriman assault her; at no time did Mr. Merriman keep her against her will. His intentions were nothing but good.”

Merriman, 25, was taken into custody and later released. Police are still investigating the domestic incident. Formal charges have not been made pending the District Attorney’s office investigation.

In a statement said by San Diego Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith, “It’s disappointing to hear about the issue regarding Shawne Merriman.” “We’ll continue to monitor the situation and let the legal process run its course.”

CHARGERS: Merriman arrested in domestic incident, North County Times, September 6,2009

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A transient who stole a steak knife from one downtown San Diego eatery and threatened to rob employees at another restaurant was gunned down by police when he refused to drop the weapon and instead approached the officer in an aggressive manor.

The San Diego shooting incident occurred in the Gaslamp District at Fourth and E Street on Monday around 4:30 p.m. after a transient stole a knife with a five inch blade from Greystone the Steakhouse and threatened staff workers. The thief approached another restaurant where he demanded money but was ignored.

When a police officer came up to the suspected thief and demanded that he drop the weapon, instead he became belligerent, according to Lt. William Stetson.

“The suspect refused and instead advanced on the officer in a menacing manner while creaming obscenities with the knife raised,” said Stetson. “The officer fired his handgun at the suspect. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.”

Homicide detectives are investigating the officer involved killing.

Police Shooting Of Man With Knife Downtown Investigated, News10.com, August 4, 2009

Continue reading "San Diego Downtown Restaurant Robber Shot by Police" »

The San Diego crime rate has declined 16.3 percent in the beginning of the year in comparison with last year’s crime rate. Mayor Jerry Sanders announced that the amount of violent offenses had diminished by 2.6 percent compared to last year.

Other crimes such as property crime (18.3%), rape (10.1%), robbery (8.8%) and San Diego homicides (7.7%) have reduced as well from January 1 through June 30th of this year. As heard by many San Diego criminal attorneys.

In contrast, aggravated assault has increased by 1.7 percent as well as a 6.4 boost of illegal behavior attributed to gang members.

The San Diego Police Department’s Chief William Lansdowne, as well as his officers has been congratulated by the mayor for their persistent efforts. However, the mayor did not mention that decrease in crime had an unforeseen consequence of being excluded from the list of recipients for grants as part of the economic stimulus payout from the federal government.

Mayor Sanders said that “San Diego continues to be one of the safest cities in the nation, largely due to the efforts of this police force and their partnership with the community.”

Report: Crime In San Diego Down, 10news.com, July 29.2009

REGION: Violent crime reports up, property crime down at 2009's midpoint, North County Times, July 29, 2009

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Wednesday morning in San Diego, an eighteen year old male was arrested on the suspected shooting of a security officer and the theft of his gun at the East County rail depot.

According to Sgt. Ray Battrick, Marquise Loftis was arrested after being pulled over in a vehicle around 12:30 am in the 2200 block of 54th Street. The shooting incident occurred on Saturday around 10:15 pm, at the Grossmont Center Trolley Station.

Police did not reveal what directed them to suspect Loftis who may have been involved with the shooting incident. Loftis was a passenger in the vehicle that was pulled over by police at the time of his arrest.

According to police, two other possible suspects have been taken into custody. When the injured security officer fell down, the man with the gun took his pistol and two ammunition clips and shot the officer again. After the violent attack, the gunman ran up the stairs and escaped into a close by shopping center.

The victim was treated at a hospital and released the next day. The victim’s name has not yet been released and is recovering at home according to MTS spokeswoman Judy Leitner.

Suspect Arrested in Trolley Shooting, San Dieg0 6 The CW, July 22, 2009

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San Diego area beaches saw an increase in the number of people celebrating the Fourth of July Weekend, although there were fewer arrests made for crimes compared to the same time last year.

All of the thirteen arrests made over this years holiday weekend came from crimes that were felonies, including handgun possessions and for drug crimes. In 2008, 21 of the 41 arrests made were for misdemeanors according to San Diego Police department Capt. Shelly Zimmerman.

There were about 1.2 million people covering San Diego beaches this year, almost 250,000 more than last years Fourth of July Weekend. The drop in arrests were due to improvement in “municipal public relation efforts” said Capt. Zimmerman.

“We’ve done a lot of education regarding what the beach rules are,” Zimmerman said.

Although San Diego police gave out more citations for alcohol related cases this year, 200 compared to 104 last year.

Bigger Crowds, Fewer Arrests at the Beaches over the 4th, San Diego 6 The CW, July 5,2009

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In San Diego a man pleaded guilty to robbery and evading police Thursday after being suspected of robbing four banks and leading police on chase.

Thomas Edward Lavalle, 61, pleaded guilty to five felony counts of robbery for robbing four banks in Encinitas, Escondido, Fallbrook and Carmel Mountain Ranch, reckless driving while evading police, two counts of possessing a concealed weapon and carrying a loaded gun..

After robbing a Bank of America on Carmel Mountain Road, Lavalle led police on a high speed car chase that lasted about 40 minutes before a CHP patrol car bumped into Lavalle’s Honda Civic which caused his vehicle to spin out of control on the ramp of the 163. No one was injured.

If convicted the robber could be facing six years and eight months in prison. Sentencing is scheduled on July 16, by Judge David Danielsen at the San Diego Superior Court.

Man pleads guilty to bank robberies, Sign on San Diego, June 4, 2009

Man Pleads Guilty To North County Bank Robberies, 10 News.com, June 4, 2009

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San Diego County Crime was down in 2008 in most areas of crime according to the FBI.

The federal law enforcement agency said that San Diego violent crime decreased 4.5 percent in 2008 from the previous year and property-related offenses declined 8.6 percent.

Even though statistics show that crime was down in San Diego, forcible rape increased by 27 percent and burglary increased by 1 percent in 2008 from the prior year. Although in Chula Vista violent crime fell 9.7 percent and property crime went down 10.5 percent, said the FBI.

In the North County area of San Diego, the number of violent crimes in Escondido dropped 13.7 percent and property offenses fell by 3.4 percent, burglary went up by 11 percent.

Oceanside saw a decline of violent crimes by 11.2 percent and a 9 percent reduction in property crimes in 2008. They had a total of five homicides, 2 more than in the prior year.

FBI: Most County Crimes Decreased In 2008, 10 News.com, June 1, 2009

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Police have arrested two teenage women in connection with a fatal stabbing of a National City woman in broad daylight.

Justine Brown, 18, of National City died shortly after sustaining a fatal stab wound to the left side of her chest, about 1:00 p.m. Friday. The murder occurred in the 100 block of East 9th Street in National City.

According to the San Diego County’s Medical Examiner’s Office, Brown was taken to UCSD Medical Center where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Antoinette Dokes Hendricks, 18, was arrested and taken into custody late Saturday night in connection with the fatal stabbing on charges of suspicion of murder. The suspected murderer is also known as Antoinette Latrice Dokes.

Another suspect, Rachel Elizabeth Wheelis, 19, was also arrested and taken into custody on suspicion of being an accessory to murder, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

Hendricks and Brown appeared to have a mutual boyfriend, which might have been a motive.

Two Teens Held in Connection with Fatal National City Stabbing, KFMB News 8, April 19, 2009

Victim of stabbing ID'd; two have been arrested, Sign on San Diego, April 20, 2009

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Police arrest a parolee carrying a gun in his car after he leads them a short chase late Monday night, said police.

Around 11 p.m. a 29 year old man who is on parole took off after a police officer tried to pull him over to issue him a traffic warning, according to Lt. Daniel Hardman.

While on pursuit the suspect drove into a canyon and ran into a power pole. He fled his car and ran away from police.

With the assistance of ASTREA, police finally found him about a half an hour later near the intersection of Paseo Ladero and Telegraph Canyon Road.

Police arrested the parolee and took him into custody on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon, tampering with the serial numbers on a gun and hit and run causing damage to a property.

The man is also facing charges of damaging city property for kicking out a vent and breaking a fan in a police transport van, said Hardman.

Police pursuit ends in arrest of parolee, Sign on San Diego, March 31,2009

Continue reading "Parolee Leads Police on Pursuit Before Arrest in Chula Vista" »

A former fifth grade teacher has pled not guilty to felony molestation charges of a boy when he was 13 years old.

Adrienne Elizabeth Feistel, 35, is charged with 10 counts of committing a lewd act on a child. According to prosecutors, she molested the student several times between August 2006 and August 2008. The boy is now 15 years old.

Feistel was a teacher at the Rosa Parks Elementary School in City Heights. She was a district employee from August 1999 through February 2006 and resigned September 1, 2006, according to the San Diego Unified School District spokesman, Jack Brandais.

Feistel moved in with the family of the boy for several months after befriending the family. Authorities say Fiestel began molesting the boy when he was in the seventh grade and was no longer his teacher.

After police responded to a disturbance at the home of the boy, the boy told his mother about the molestation.

If convicted of the sex crime, Feistel could be facing “a significant amount of time in prison,” said Deputy District Attorney Wendy Patrick Mazzarella.

Former teacher pleads not guilty to sex charges, Sign on San Diego, March 26,2009

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A mechanic who had just finished his shift early Tuesday morning at the Metropolitan Transit System complex in San Diego fired several gunshots at co-workers leaving one man dead and one man critically injured in this violent crime. Police shot and killed the gunman after he pointed his gun at them.

According to San Diego Police, Lonnie Glasco, 47, worked at the Metropolitan Transit System for 29 years, had just finished his shift when he walked into a lounge area and told co-workers “no one is going to leave” then went out into a parking lot and fired several shots with a deadly weapon, killing co-worker Benjamin Mwangi and critically injuring Michael Stevenson, 55 who later died at the University of California San Diego Medical Center.

When police arrived at the scene they found the shooting suspect holding a gun. After officers repeatedly told the gunman to drop the weapon, Glasco ignored their requests and made a call using his cell phone with his other hand, according to Lt Kevin Rooney. “When the call ended, he started to raise the gun at the officers and they shot him.” said Rooney.

Motives for the shootings are under investigation.

Third Man Dies In San Diego Transit Center Shooting, KFMB News 8, March 24, 2009

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A Girl Scout Volunteer bookkeeper for 44 North County troops was sentenced to spend 30 days in jail and 3 years of probation for embezzling about $13,000 over a period of 18 months.

On January 8th she had pleaded guilty to one count of felony grand theft.

Janet Daily, 36, had been in charge of the bank accounts for 44 Girl Scout troops in the Solana Beach and Rancho Santa Fe area for seven years.

The defendant told police she had financial difficulties and she was going to pay it back.

She tried to pay back some of the stolen money after she was caught, but she still owed the Girl Scouts $5958 when she entered her guilty plea, according to District Attorney Kate Flaherty.

Last November after Daily announced she was moving out of state, coordinators discovered thousands of dollars missing. She was arrested by police and admitted to steeling from the Girl Scouts.

In court yesterday, the former bookkeeper had a check for $5458 and said she would pay back the remaining $500 she still owed.

Daily is now in jail serving her 30 day sentence.

Ex-bookkeeper who stole from Scouts gets 30 days, Sign on San Diego, March 17,2009

Girl Scout Bookkeeper Pleads Guilty To Embezzlement Charges, KFMB News 8, March 16, 2009

Continue reading "North County San Diego Girl Scout Bookkeeper Sentenced " »

An Encanto Man accused of stabbing his wife repeatedly is awaiting for the jury to reach a verdict in the case.

The defendant, Fredrick Melanson, 46, has been accused of first degree murder for stabbing his wife multiple times in the face, neck and chest.

According to prosecutors the defendant was upset with his wife Parmenia Melanson, 48, for non stop asking for money, and demanding for him to buy her a Gucci purse. The couple argued over finances.

After drinking several beers and tequila shots at the Formosa Club in Chula Vista he drove over 10 miles home. The waitress at the bar testified that Melanson seemed in a good mood and did not appear to be drunk when he left the club.

The prosecutor told the jury that Melanson liked hanging out with women at the Formosa Club because “they don’t give me crap.”

The defense attorney for the defendant said he is only guilty of voluntary manslaughter. He said his wife attacked him first, kicking him in the groin and poking him in the eye.

When the defendant arrived home, they apparently argued and his wife blocked him as tried to come out of the bathroom, he accidentally stepped on her foot according to his defense attorney. His wife thought is was on purpose. Melanson then picked up a knife he saw on some clothes and planned to take it back to the kitchen, that’s when his wife kicked him and poked him in the eye.

The defendant said that he passed out and does not remember stabbing her. “It happened so fast he did not have time to think.”

Melanson turned himself in after he awoke and saw what had happened. He told his defense attorney that he loved his wife and had no reason to kill her. He had to be provoked. This was not premeditated, but fueled by alcohol.

If convicted Melanson could be facing 26 years to life in prison.

Deliberations Begin in Murder Trial of Encanto Man Who Killed His Wife, San Diego 6 The CW, February 27,2009

Continue reading "San Diego Jury Deliberations Begin for Encanto Man who Allegedly Murdered Wife" »

In San Diego’s Oceanside area, after a 6 month undercover drug sting operation, 30 people were arrested last Thursday on drug charges or Possession for Sales.

Most of the arrested were gang members that had prior records for violent crimes.

Authorities had seven search warrants, seized two vehicles, $8500.00 in cash and a firearm. “They’re no longer in the streets,” said Ralph Patridge, special agent in charge with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s San Diego office. “They’re behind bars,” he said.

After many complaints from the Oceanside community about drugs being sold in the downtown streets, Oceanside police Chief Frank McCoy needed assistance from the DEA’s Mobile Enforcement Team.

The sting operation was called “Operation Rock Solid” which encompassed more than 200 law enforcement officers from several agencies were sent undercover to purchase illegal drugs such as crack cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy and marijuana.

More than a half-pound of crack cocaine, two ounces of methamphetamine, several pounds of marijuana and 500 ecstasy pills were seized by Oceanside detectives and special DEA agents during the raid.

According to special agent Patridge, while the number of the drugs seized is not particularly significant, “what’s significant is the people who were trafficking these drugs were violent gang members in your city.”

There are thirteen people still remain at large. Six of the more than 30 arrested have been charges with federal drug crimes.

More than 30 arrested on drug charges after 6-month probe, San Diego Union Tribune, February 26,2009

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A bank who robber fled on the back of a motorcycle driven by an accomplice, robbed a Kearny Mesa Union Bank on Monday.

The 200 lb 6- foot 2-inch thief who was wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses when he handed a bank teller at the Union Bank of California a demand note. The robbery occured about 3:30pm at the branch office located in the 7700 block of Clairemont Mesa Boulevard according to San Diego police.

The bank teller handed the thief who appeared to be in his 20’s an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect exited the bank and proceeded to Convoy Street where another man waited on a black motorcycle, said San Diego Police Department Seargent Art Campa.

Robberies are the most serious of all theft crimes. Robberies is divided into First or second Degree. If two or more persons are charged with First degree Robbery, the punishment can be 3, 6, or 9 years in state prison.

The amount of time increases significantly if a weapon or firearm is used in a robbery.
All robberies, regardless of degree are “Strikes" under California Three Strikes Law.

Kearny Mesa Union Bank Robbed, San Diego New 6 The CW, February 23, 2009

Continue reading "San Diego Thief Robs Kearny Mesa Union Bank" »

A couple who operated a day care out of their San Diego apartment and are accused of molesting four children pled not guilty to 8 felony charges, including child abuse.

Anita Maria Kaczmarczyk, could be facing 60 years to life in prison if convicted. She is now in custody with bail set at $150,000.

Mark Lee Kaczmarczyk, 58, is awaiting extradition after being arrested last Sunday in Taiwan on child molestation charges. He is the husband of Anita Maria.

According to Deputy District Attorney Lucy Weismantel, an investigation took place after vaginal injuries were discovered in September of 2007 on one of the alleged victims. The molestations took place between June and September of 2007. The victims range in age from a few months old to just over 2 years old.

The defendants are being charged with four counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a child and a sentence enhancing allegation of multiple victims, along with child abuse.

A readiness conference is set for February 25th, and a preliminary hearing is set for March 4th For Anita Kaczmarczyk, according to Judge David Szumowski.

Mark Lee Kaczmarczyk told clerks at a shop that he wanted to open an English-language kindergarten in Taiwan. An undercover female Taiwanese agent who befriended the suspect found out where lived, and he was then arrested on molestation charges, the Taipei Times reported.

Day Care Operator Pleads Not Guilty to Molestation Charges, San Diego 6 The CW, February 19, 2009

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Earlier this month the San Diego police have warned residents in the Granite Hills area of residential burglaries that have taken place over the last three months.

There have been 15 homes that have either been victims to attempted burglary
or have been broken into on Mahogany Drive and Spanish Oak Place since last October.

According to the El Cajon Police Department the crimes that were committed have been when the residents were actually at home. Most of the victims that were at home when the robberies occurred didn’t even know it at the time. They heard strange noises and sounds but thought they were harmless.

Most of the crimes committed were theft crimes. Purses, wallets, cell phones, lap top computers were some of the stolen items.

Another area with a surge in neighborhood crime is in San Marcos, near Palomar Community College. In a one-mile radius in the past 3 months there have been 19 cars stolen or broken into with windows smashed, and 12 acts of vandalism according to the news 8 Crimefighters.

A resident said “It’s gotten to the point where we have to put up numerous cameras connected to TVs and the motion sensor lights that are bright and shiny.”

Police Warn Of Granite Hills-Area Robbery Series, 10News.com

Crimetracker Maps Car Thefts & Vandalism In San Marcos, KFMB News 8

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Two men tried to rob a coin shop in the North Park area of San Diego, but a worker shot and killed one of the robbers.

The shooting occured around 9:15 am this morning when two armed men entered the Old Coin Shop on El Cajon Boulevard, near Texas Street and approached two employees in an attempted robbery.

One of the employees armed with a handgun shot one of the robbers. The suspect was shot in the left leg and lower back. At the same time 911 was called and police were en route to the scene. It is not known how many shots were fired in the coin shop.

The robber who was identified as Michael Anthony Watkins Jr. of San Diego was taken to Mercy Hospital and died a short time later. Witnesses say that the second man picked up Watkins body and carried him to an outside parking lot before fleeing the scene with a handgun.

San Diego police homicide Lt Terry McManus said witnesses described the accomplice as a young black man, with a thin build around 5 feet 10 inches tall wearing a gray sweater and dark pants. Police are on the lookout for him.

Coin Shop Worker Fatally Shoots Attempted Robber, 10 News.com

Attempted Coin Shop Robbery Ends In Fatal Shooting, KFMB News 8

Robber shot during coin shop heist dies, Sign on San Diego

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An undercover drug sting that began last fall in the San Diego military housing community certifies 33 arrests.

“Operation Endless Summer” an undercover sting operation was erected because of residential complaints regarding an increase in illegal drug activity in the military housing sector.

Thirty-three people have been arrested and charged with selling illegal narcotics and other drug related offenses, 19 others have yet to be arrested. Only two sailors and one former Navy member who was recently separated from the military, were among the 33 charged, most were civilians.

“This operation has rounded up drug dealers who were jeopardizing public safety in military housing, the dedicated men and women serving in the military, along with their families, deserve a drug-free environment where they live,” said District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis.

Law enforcement posing to buy illegal drugs, seized two pounds of crystal methamphetamine, a half pound of powder cocaine, one gram of heroin, OxyContin and Ecstasy pills, over 400 marijuana plants, 6 pounds of marijuana, seven guns, which included semi-automatic handguns, and $19,000 in cash.

The District Attorney’s Office, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with the San Diego Police Department were responsible for carrying out the drug sting.

If the defendants are found guilty, they could be facing 16 months to 5 years in prison for a drug related felony.

Sting targets drug sales at military housing sites, Sign on San Diego

Undercover Drug Sting In Military Housing In San Diego Nets 33 Arrests, KFMB News 8

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For the first time since the administration of LBJ, San Diego has seen the lowest rate in crime per capita says Mayor Jerry Sanders. According to the City of San Diego’s crime report there has been an 8% decrease in crime rates in San Diego.

There were five-percent fewer murders in 2008 compared to 2007. Robberies were down 3-percent, as well as aggravated assaults, hate crimes and domestic violence. Although, there has been a 27 percent increase in rapes in San Diego.

According to Police Chief William Lansdowne, about 80 percent of the rapes that happen are date rapes, usually spousal rapes where people have consumed too much alcohol and have become overly intoxicated . He also stated that the reason he feels there is a rise in these statistics is because more rape victims are reporting these crimes.

Chief Lansdowne also said that grant money will be used for the prevention of rape.

The good news is that with the decrease in crime San Diego is considered one of the safest places to live.

San Diego Crime Rate Drops 8% San Diego 6 TheCW

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Last week, an Ocean Beach man who is suspected of carrying out 17 bank robberies in four years was arrested by San Diego police and FBI agents outside his home. Authorities nicknamed the suspect, Stephen Colburn, nicknamed “Big Boy Bandit” because of his large size.

Colburn is suspected of robbing several banks from 2004 to 2008. The most recent robbery occurred on November 17.

The 54-year old was apprehended after employees at a bank in Mission Valley noticed him acting suspiciously. They provided a description of the bank robbery suspect and his license plate number, which helped authorities track him down at his home on Santa Monica Avenue. Authorities booked Colburn into county jail, according to a special agent in charge of the San Diego FBI office.

The series of robberies is still under investigation.

San Diego Police, FBI Nab 'Big Boy Bandit', 760KFMB.com, January 27, 2009

Suspect in 17 bank robberies arrested outside home, San Diego Union-Tribune, January 26, 2009

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In San Diego Superior Courts, a 17-year-old male is accused of fatally stabbing one teen girl and wounding another. The incident occurred at San Diego’s Old Town Transit Center, where Daniel Padilla claims he was attacked by his two stabbing victims on September 17.

Rochelle Luz Quintana, 17, was stabbed once in the chest and died. Sara Chavez, also 17, sustained stab wounds in her abdomen and survived. According to several witnesses, Quintana and Chavez attacked Padilla in retaliation for Padilla flashing a gang sign to Chavez’s half sister and her boyfriend. Chavez said in a police interview that she threw the first punch.

Padilla, who is being held in Juvenile Hall instead of $1.5 million bail, is charged with murder and attempted murder. A hearing will determine if there is enough evidence to try Padilla, who has been charged as an adult.

Teen accused in stabbing says victims attacked him, San Diego Union-Tribune, January 23, 2009

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In San Diego, three people are charged with running a child prostitution ring. All three pleaded guilty to sex-crime charges last Tuesday. Their plea included one count of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of children and another count of coercion and enticement of a minor into prostitution.

According to federal prosecutors, the three defendants recruited children to work as prostitutes and posted inappropriate photos of the children on Craigslist to lure male customers. Two of the dependents admitted driving children to and from hotels in the Sports Arena and Mission Valley neighborhoods.

The court will sentence two of those charged with child sex trafficking on March 30. The other defendant will receive sentencing on April 13. The minimum mandatory sentence for the coercion charge is 10 years in jail, and the conspiracy charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in jail.

Three plead guilty to running child-sex ring, San Diego Union-Tribune, January 20, 2009

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In La Mesa, California, private investigators hired by Grossmont Union High School District are blaming high school employees for failing to report suspicions of child abuse as required by California state law. Four former teachers at Helix High School have been convicted of sex crimes against students since 2006.

According to the investigation, school employees did not report suspected child abuse and school administrators did not take proper preventative measures after the first case of sexual abuse. The report states that students did not feel their complaints would be taken seriously by school officials based on the reaction to the first incident of sexual abuse.

Officials from the school denied these findings and said they plan to issue a detailed response.

San Diego high school faulted after abuse cases, Associated Press, January 17, 2009

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According to the San Diego Union Tribune, the FBI has released statistics showing less crime in the San Diego area and across the country. The FBI’s Preliminary Semiannual Uniform Crime Report showed a 3.5 percent decrease in violent crime nationwide during the first half of 2008 compared to the same time frame the previous year. It also showed a 2.5 percent decrease in property crime during that same period.

Here in San Diego, the area has seen a 10 percent decline in property crime and 2.8 percent decline in violent crime, including manslaughter, murder, rape, aggravated assault, and robbery. Burglary, motor-vehicle theft, and larceny-theft are included in property crimes.

The Carlsbad Police Department said that when taking into account the city’s increase in population, the city noted a 9 percent decrease in FBI index crimes. Oceanside saw a 16 percent drop in violent crime and a 3.5 percent drop in property crime. Chula Vista saw a 7 percent drop in violent crime and a 14 percent drop in property crime. Escondido saw a 24.5 percent drop in violent crime and a 4 percent drop in property crime.

Uniform Crime Reports, FBI.gov

FBI: Crime down nationwide, including San Diego, San Diego Union-Tribune, January 13, 2009

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According to an article in The Californian, 20 people in San Diego County were charged with rape by intoxication last year, which is an increase over the 11 people who were charged in 2007. That same year, nine of the 11 defendants were convicted of a felony in those rape by intoxication cases.

Rape by intoxication is an especially difficult crime to prove in court, because the victim’s memory of the event may be limited. In some cases the defendant may have also been drunk; however, drunkenness is not a legal defense for committing rape. Rape by intoxication is a sex crime, so those convicted of the crime are required to register as a sex offender for the rest of their life.

In San Diego, local authorities and community organizations have teamed up to create a program called PRICE: Preventing Rape by Intoxication through Community Education. The program is aimed at teaching people between 18 and 25 to drink responsibly and not leave intoxicated friends by themselves.

REGION: Rape by intoxication hard to prove, The Californian, December 29, 2008

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On Sunday in San Diego, a man was stabbed to death in what San Diego police believe to be a gang attack. They have identified the stabbing victim as 24-year-old Francisco Nava.

Originally, the stabbing was reported to police as a shooting. The incident occurred around 2:45pm in Mountain Wood on Olivewood Terrace near Logan Avenue. Police officers arrived at the scene to find a man lying near the sidewalk, according to homicide Lt. Kevin Rooney. The man had stab wounds and was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:15pm.

Detectives say that Nava and his friends were on Olivewood Terrace and were challenged by several members of a gang. One of the gang members confronted Nava and stabbed him, according to witnesses. The stabbing suspect has not been identified.

Public Safety: Man stabbed to death in apparent gang attack, San Diego Union-Tribune, January 12, 2009

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A San Diego Court has charged a 60-year-old man with engaging in deceitful practices, grand theft, and conspiracy to commit grand theft. The man has pleaded not guilty.

According to prosecutors, Larry Smith posed as a mortgage foreclosure consultant and offered “land patents” to those who had defaulted on their mortgages. He reportedly told victims that the patents would avoid foreclosure because the banks would own the home instead of the land underneath it.

A district attorney said that investigators have found 17 homeowners who may have fallen prey to Smith’s scheme. A San Diego Superior Court Judge set the suspect’s bail at $3 million. Prosecutors say Smith faces a potential sentence of 37 years to life if convicted of all counts.

Smith’s criminal record includes convictions for robbery, assault, and second-degree murder as far back as the late 1960’s.

Man pleads not guilty to charges of grand theft, San Diego Union-Tribune, January 1, 2009

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San Diego police are searching for the man they believe was behind a Redwood Village home invasion and rape that happened on October 18. According to Monica Munoz of the San Diego Police Department, Tommy Nguyen, a 32-year-old Vietnamese construction worker, is suspected in this case and in similar crimes that occurred in Riverside and Orange counties. His two alleged accomplices were arrested at the scene of the crimes.

Munoz said Nguyen should be considered armed and dangerous.

According to prosecutors and police, the suspects were robbing a residence in the 5900 block of Hughes Street when the inhabitants arrived home. The suspects allegedly doused the male victims with lighter fluid and threatened to kill them if they didn’t their attackers $20,000. They also allegedly took the wife into a bedroom and raped her, according to a Deputy District Attorney.

Police Search For Man Involved In Home Invasion, 10News.com, December 26, 2008

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San Diego police say that on Christmas Eve, a man was wounded after two other men attempted to steal his beer. The shooting occurred at University and Euclid avenues in City Heights after the victim refused to surrender his beer.

As the two robbers assaulted the man, his beer fell to the pavement. One of the robbers fired a shot into the air and three at the victim, who suffered a gunshot wound in the buttocks as the two suspects fled the scene of the shooting.

The gunshot victim was transported to a hospital for treatment.

Public safety: Beer-theft attempt leaves man wounded on street, San Diego Union-Tribune, December 26, 2008

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A sweep through the southwestern part of San Diego resulted in the arrest of nine people for parole violations this weekend. San Diego Police arrested four juveniles and five adults for violating terms of their probation.

Two of the people in question tried to barricade themselves but later surrendered peacefully. According to a supervising probation officer, the police were able to locate a woman named in a warrant two years ago as well as a documented adult male gang member. The officer added that information received during the raid on last Friday afternoon and night.

The San Diego Police Department, the Chula Vista Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Office Regional Fugitive Task Force collaborated with the county’s Probation Department.

Nine Arrested For Probation Violations, 10news.com, December 20, 2008

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The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the holiday season is peak time for cycbercriminals hoping to steal bank account information or other personal data to use for fraudulent purchases. A San Diego State University professor of information technology said the volume of cybercriminal activity is increasing.

Because online shopping increases during this period, criminal activity also increases, because hackers know that there isn’t time for online retailers to screen every transaction as thoroughly. By attacking computer networks during November and December, identity thieves believe there is less chance of detention.

In order to prevent hackers from stealing their identity, bank account numbers, or other information, experts have the following advice for consumers:

*Keep your anti-virus and spyware software up-to-date.
*Shop through retailers who have a strong reputation for security.
*Use different passwords for email, banking, and online shopping

Holiday season brings out worst in cybercriminals, San Diego Union-Tribune, December 17, 2008

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In Redlands, California last week, police arrested a San Diego man who they suspect molested a runaway teenager. Police also suspect that Scott Douglas Oakley, 29, may have molested other victims in the San Bernardino and Redlands areas.

According to court documents, Oakley is charged with molesting a minor and providing marijuana to a minor. He picked up his 14-year old victim near the Redlands Mall entrance and allegedly drove to an area home where the two smoked marijuana. Police believe Oakley then pulled out a handgun and molested the victim, who reported the sex crime during a school counseling session two months ago.

Police have located a 20-year old transient who says Oakley offered to smoke marijuana with him and then molested him. According to detectives, Oakley told them he looked for transient men near the down library and Greyhound bus station in San Bernadino between 2003 and 2007. In the past year, Oakley allegedly looked for men in Redlands.

San Diego man arrested on suspicion of arresting Inland teen, The Press-Enterprise, December 11, 2008

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A San Diego Superior Court Judge convicted a woman of identity theft for using an acquaintance’s personal information to open fraudulent credit card accounts. Former loan officer Denise Ramirez has been ordered to serve one year in prison and will spend five years on probation. Her prison sentence may increase to up to three years and eight months if she fails to comply with an order to reveal all illegal transactions performed with her friend’s information.

Police arrested Ramirez on September 25 after authorities discovered Ramirez had stolen money from the account of Evanthia Pappas and opened debit and credit cards in Pappas’ name. Prosecutors say the money in question was between $80,000 and $90,000. On October 30, Ramirez pleaded guilty to grand theft and identity theft.

Pappas, who was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer and struggled to pay her medical bills, has received reimbursement from Citibank for much of the money stolen from her account. Therefore, restitution would be paid to several banks impacted by the identity theft case.

Woman guilty of ID theft will serve one year in jail, San Diego Union-Tribune, December 4, 2008

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The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that two of the three people charged in the pipe bombing of the San Diego federal courthouse pleaded guilty on Friday. The bombing occurred last May and no one was injured.

On September 25, Eric Robinson, 43, pleaded guilty to a charge of possession and use of a destructive device to commit a crime of violence. He admitted to driving the getaway car. On Friday, Judge Margaret McKeown formally accepted Robinson’s plea and that of Ella Louise Sanders, 57, who pleaded guilty to the same charges, which carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years.

Robinson and Sanders admitted their involvement in constructing and helping to detonate pipe bombs at the courthouse and a FedEx building in May. Their motive has not been established yet, and a third defendant, Rachelle Carlock, is awaiting her trial.

Courthouse bombers plead guilty, San Diego Union-Tribune, December 5, 2008

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A San Diego man has been sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison after he allegedly traveled to Colorado to sexually take advantage of children. He will also have to register as a sex offender and may be deported to his native Lebanon after serving out his sentence.

When Georges Najjar, 33, arrived in Denver on March 14, he was greeted by an undercover agent and Denver police. The undercover agent had posed as a single mother with two young children and had made contact with Najjar online and by phone. According to the Department of Justice, Najjar stated during conversations with the undercover agent that he planned to have a physical relationship with the woman and her children.

Responding officers and agents seized Najjar’s luggage after he landed in Denver. His bags contained children’s toys, DVDs, and candy, among other items. In July, Najjar leaded guilty to the charges.

Sex offender to spend more than a decade behind bars, San Diego Union-Tribune, November 26, 2008

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In San Diego, California, the Sheriff’s deputies are on the hunt for an inmate who was mistakenly released from a San Diego County jail.

The inmate, 50-year old Tuan Tran, also known as Kevin Nguyen, reportedly switched wristbands with another Otay Mesa jail inmate who was about to be bailed out of custody. Tran was released in the other inmate’s place in October, and the mix-up was discovered a few hours later when the other inmate’s mother called to ask about her son’s release from jail.

The Sheriff’s office says that Tran has been at large for several weeks, and he is believed to still be in the San Diego area. He was serving time for burglary and fraud; however, authorities do not believe that he is a threat. The search continues for Tran, who is described as a Vietnamese male around 5 feet 5 inches and 140 pounds.

Inmate Pulls a Switch on Jailers, Escapes, SanDiego6.com, November 18, 2008

Sheriff's Deputies Hunt Prison Escapee, 10News.com, November 17, 2008

Inmate mistakenly released from San Diego jail, MercuryNews.com, October 31, 2008

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According to an article in today’s San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego’s crime rates were down nearly 8% in the first nine months of 2008, as compared with the same period during 2007. The San Diego police noted a decrease in the number of robberies, assaults, hate crimes, and domestic violence.

However, the homicide rate is up nearly 10%. At this time last year, San Diego had 41 reported homicides. This year, that number was up to 45. The number of reported rapes in San Diego has also increased to 278, up from 207 in 2007. The city has also seen an increase in gang-related crimes, including tagging, theft, vandalism, and drugs, though shootings and stabbings were down.

“Crime (overall) is at the lowest it's been in more that 40 years, with fewer than 35 crimes per 1,000 residents,” said San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders. “This is the first time since 1966 that we've dipped below that 35 crime mark on the crime index.”

Continue reading "San Diego’s Crime Rate Drops, as Rapes, Homicides Increase" »

Police say that alcohol-related crimes in San Diego were down this year after the one-year booze ban went into effect. The City Council approved a temporary ban on alcohol at city beaches in November. Last year, San Diego police issued a total of 3,438 alcohol-related citations. So far this year, they have issued only 2,855, which is a decrease of 17 percent. The number of minors in possession of alcohol has also declined.

Of course, this drop in crime on San Diego’s beaches might also have to do with the drop in visitors. Some predict that if trends continue San Diego will see close to 4 million fewer visitors this year. However, the addition of security cameras and lower than normal temperatures may also explain the lower number of visitors.

If voters reject Proposition D, it will expire on January 14, 2009. If Proposition D passes, it will make consuming alcohol illegal at city beaches, including Mission Bay Park and other coastal parks.

Report: Alcohol-related crime drops following beach booze ban, North County Times, October 22, 2008

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