Crime Beat

HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION IN EL CAJON AFTER MAN FOUND DEAD NEAR CVS

East County News Service

April 12, 2023 (El Cajon) ) – El Cajon Police Department is investigating the death of a man found dead this morning in front of the CVS store in the 500 block of Fletcher Parkway.

“The male, in his early thirties, suffered obvious trauma and his death is being investigated as a homicide,” states an ECPD press release.


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MAN WHO MURDERED EX-GIRILFRIEND’S TWIN DAUGHTERS IN LEMON GROVE SENTENCED TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE

East County News Service

April 8, 2023 (Lemon Grove) -- San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced yesterday that defendant Dwayne E. Groves Jr., 41, was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole plus 72 years formurdering 15-year-old twin sisters, Caira and Leah Christopher, in April 2020. Both were students at Helix Charter High School in La Mesa.


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FIVE MEN ON HOMELESS VOUCHER PROGRAM ARRESTED IN EL CAJON MOTEL WITH DRUGS, ILLEGAL WEAPONS

By Miriam Raftery

March 30, 2023 (El Cajon) – Five men have been arrested at the Best Value Inn in El Cajon for possession of illegal drugs and weapons, including two on probation, both staying there under the County’s homeless voucher program.

It all started yesterday morning, when El Cajon Police officers stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation on North Second Street. The driver, John Bevins, 63, was on probation for stolen property and had an illegal weapon, methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle, according to Lt. Darrin Forster.

That led to a search of the motel room where he was staying at the Best Value Inn on Oakdale Avenue, as a participant in the county’s motel voucher program for homeless individuals.


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PAROLEE IN COUNTY VOUCHER PROGRAM IS ARRESTED FOR FENTANYL POSSESSION

By Miriam Raftery

March 30, 2023 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police yesterday arrested Peter Cusimano, 51, for possession of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia. Officers had stopped him for causing a traffic hazard in the 1300 block of East Main St. and upon learning that he was on probation for carrying a concealed weapon, the officers conduced a search, according to lieutenant Darrin Forster.


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COURT APPROVES PLACEMENT OF SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR IN BORREGO

By Miriam Raftery

March 30, 2023 (Borrego Springs) – Sexually violent predator Douglas Badger will be housed at a residence on Zuni Trail in Borrego Springs starting in May. The placement was approved by Superior Court Judge Theodore Weathers, over vocal objections from community residents and officials.

Badger has been convicted of kidnapping and raping young male hitchhikers and sexually assaulting a young girl.  He’s been diagnosed as a sexual sadist, served several terms in prison and the past 18 years in a state mental hospital, but he has been approved by the Dept. of State Hospitals for release.


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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW WITH SHERIFF KELLY MARTINEZ

View video of full interview; Hear audio

March 24, 2023 (San Diego) – Earlier this month, East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery interviewed San Diego County’s new Sheriff, Kelly Martinez, for our radio show on KNSJ.  She’s been in law enforcement since 1985, working her way up the ranks from Deputy Sheriff to Undersheriff before winning election as Sheriff last November. She’s also the first woman to serve as San Diego’s top law enforcement officer. In our interview, she spoke about efforts to improve jails and reduce jail deaths, combat human trafficking and fentanyl overdoses, hold deputies accountable for wrongdoing, address homelessness issues, and expand staffing - including some jobs currently open, and more.

Audio: 


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LAW ENFORCEMENT, CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS CALL FOR REPEAL OF LAW HINDERING ANTI-TRAFFICKING EFFORTS

East County News Service

PHOTO: Shane Harris, President of the People's Association of Justice Advocates, speaks out as National City Police Chief Jose Tellez, anti-human trafficking advocate Marisa Ugarte, Chula Vista Mayor John McCann, National City Mayor Ron Morrison and Abdur Rahim Hameed, President of the National Black Contractors Association, look on.

 

March 22, 2023 (San Diego) – Civic leaders are urging Governor Gavin Newsom and the state Legislature to repeal Senate Bill 357, a recent law which decriminalized loitering with the intent to sell sex.  Elected officials, police chiefs and civil rights leaders say that far from protecting victims of sex trafficking, the law has created opportunities for perpetrators to exploit vulnerable minors.

 

At a press conference in late February in San Diego, officials including California Attorney General Bonta, San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit, National City, CA Police Chief Jose Tellez and San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan discussed how this law has made it even more difficult to address human trafficking. 


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EL CAJON TO HOLD SPECIAL MEETING MARCH 21 ON HOW TO STOP CRIMES AT MOTELS HOUSING HOMELESS

By Miriam Raftery

March 21, 2023 (El Cajon) – El Cajon’s City Council will convene a special session on Tuesday, March 21 at 2:15 p.m. to weigh proposed regulations aimed at reducing crimes associated with individuals placed in local motels under the county’s homeless voucher program. An open session will be followed by a closed door session, for the Council to weigh legal options.

The action follows El Cajon Police Department’s announcement earlier today that two registered sex offenders staying at Motel 6 in El Cajon under the voucher program have been arrested and admitted sexually assaulting, molesting and videotaping their actions with an underaged girl; police have also indicated they believe at least two more young girls may also have been sexually assaulted by the men, who were both wearing ankle monitors as convicted sex offenders.


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EL CAJON POLICE SEEKS HELP TO FIND GIRLS WHO WERE ASSAULTED AT MOTEL BY TWO HOMELESS SEX OFFENDERS

East County News Service

Updated March 21 with additional details.

March 20, 2023 (El Cajon) – Two registered sex offenders have been arrested after admitting to sexual acts with underage girls at the Motel 6 in El Cajon, where one of the offenders had been placed by an organization that assists homeless people.

El Cajon Police Department has identified one victim, a 16-year-old girl.  ECPD is asking for public help to identify multiple young girls whom the men have reportedly admitted to sexually assaulting during the past week at the same motel.

These crimes validate concerns repeatedly raised by the city of El Cajon over County placement of homeless individuals in motels without vetting for criminal backgrounds, as ECM has reported.


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FATAL SHOOTING AT LEMON GROVE VFW; NO SUSPECTS IN CUSTODY

Story and photos by Jessyka Heredia

View video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdVCRQW1ORk

Update March 22, 2023 -- The victim has been identified as Gregory Moore, 39, of San Diego.  An autopsy confirmed the cause of death was a gunshot wound and the death has been ruled a homicide.

March 19,2023 (Lemon Grove) A fatal shooting occurred at local VFW Post 2082 in Lemon Grove late Saturday night at 2885 Lemon Grove Ave. Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call reporting the shooting shortly before 10 p.m. and found a man, 39, unconscious in a vehicle at the intersection of Lemon Grove and San Miguel Avenues, according to Lieutenant Chris Steffen with the San Diego County Sheriff’s homicide unit.

“As the deputies were taking the unconscious man out of the vehicle, they noticed he had gunshot wounds to his upper leg and torso. Deputies applied a tourniquet to the victim’s leg as the paramedics arrived,” Lt. Steffen said in media release.


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DUI CHECKPOINT IN EL CAJON ON ST. PATRICK’S DAY

East County News Service

March 16, 2023 (El Cajon) – If you’re planning on drinking to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, be sure to bring a designated  sober driver, take public transit, or call a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft.  The El Cajon Police Department will hold a DUI Checkpoint tomorrow evening, March 17, from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. in the 300 block of West Chase. 

 Checkpoint locations are chosen based on a history of DUI crashes and arrests. The primary purpose of checkpoints is not to make arrests, but to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired, according to ECPD.

 During the checkpoint, officers will look for signs that drivers are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.


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SHERIFF SEEKS HELP TO ID SUSPECTS IN STRING OF VEHICLE BREAK-INS: $1,000 REWARD OFFERED

East County News Service

March 14, 2023 (San Diego) -- Investigators from the Santee Sheriff’s Station and Crime Stoppers want your help in identifying and locating two suspects involved in a series of vehicle burglaries throughout San Diego County.


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SUSPECT SHOT BY DEPUTY AFTER RAMMMING PATROL VEHICLE IN EL CAJON

Update: Video of the shooting has been released.  Caution, content may be disturbing:  click here

By Miriam Raftery

March 11, 2023 (El Cajon) – An Alpine man found in a stolen vehicle was shot in the legs by a San Diego Sheriff’s deputy in unincorporated El Cajon, rammed multiple vehicles and then fled.  Following a pursuit that ended in a roll-over crash, the suspect was apprehended while trying to hide in a backyard shed in the city of El Cajon.

The suspect has been identified as Brenten Kinzenbaw, 25, of Alpine. NBC San Diego reports the suspect was spotted Thursday night in a stolen truck parked on Oro Street in El Cajon. 

The Sheriff’s department has indicated the man disobeyed multiple orders to exit the vehicle and instead put the vehicle in reverse, crashing into a parked car.  He then drove forward, nearly hitting deputies and a bystander, and struck a patrol vehicle.


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TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO ARREST IN LAKESIDE FOR NARCOTICS, ILLEGAL GUN AND VEHICLE THEF

East County News Service

March 8, 2023 (Lakeside) -- An East County man has been arrested on multiple  felony charges after he was pulled over by deputies from the Lakeside Sheriff’s substation shortly before 10:30 p.m. last night for driving with an expired registration. A license plate check confirmed that the motorcycle he was driving was stolen. 


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DRIVER SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR JAMUL CRASH: BOAT TRAILER CAME UNHITCHED, KILLED MOTHER OF TWO

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Jennifer and Kirk Nichols, courtesy of Dignity Memorial

March 4, 2023 (Jamul) – Robert Keith Thomas, 30, pleaded guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter and has been sentenced to four years in state prison, CBS 8 reports. He was driving a pickup truck on State Route 94 on Feb. 25, 2022 when a boat trailer he was towing came unhitched and slid across the highway.

 It struck a vehicle driven by Jennifer Nichols, 49, wife of then-interim San Diego Harbor Police Chief Kirk Nichols. She later died in a hospital. Her husband, who was a passenger, had minor injuries.

Thomas also faces a civil suit filed by Nichols’ husband and their two sons, Times of San Diego reports.


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IN-CUSTODY DEATH OF LONNIE RUPARD RULED HOMICIDE

East County News Service

March 2, 2023 (San Diego) – 46-year-old Lonnie Newton Rupard, a mentally ill homeless man, was found unresponsive in his cell at San Diego Central Jail on March 17, 2022. Sheriff's deputies and medical staff performed lifesaving measures until he was transported to a hospital, where he died.

Today, the San Diego County Medical Examiner's (M.E.) Office released its autopsy report which found the manner of death was homicide. The preliminary cause of death is pneumonia, malnutrition and dehydration related to untreated mental conditions along with COVID-19 viral infection, pulmonary emphysema and duodenal ulcer as contributing factors, though the report also found blunt force injuries to his head, torso and extremities. Though he had schizophrenia and psychosis, he had refused medications while in custody and threatened to kill medical providers who tried to treat him, according to the report.


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SHERIFF SEEKS HELP TO IDENTIFY SUSPECTS IN RAMONA VANDALISM SPREE

Teenage suspects caught on surveillance video.

 

Source:  San Diego Sheriff's Department

 

February 28, 2022 (Ramona) -- Detectives from the Ramona Sheriff's Substation and San Diego County Crime Stoppers want your help in identifying and locating those responsible for a vandalism spree in Ramona.


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TWO WOUNDED IN EL CAJON SHOOTING

East County News Service

March 1, 2023 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police report that two people were shot following a dispute at 1351 Emerald Ave. on February 24.

Police and Fire Dept. personnel responded to calls reporting gunshots shortly after 7 a.m. and transported a female victim to a hospital for treatment. While El Cajon Police were investigating the scene at Emerald, La Mesa Police advised that a male victim with a gunshot wound had arrived at Grossmont Hospital.


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TRAFFICKING SURVIVOR SPEAKS OUT, OFFERS HELP TO OTHERS

"God allows U-turns." -- Kathi Torres

By Miriam Raftery

View video interview by clicking image, right

February 26, 2023 (San Diego) – Kathi Torres with Freedom from Exploitation, an organization that helps survivors of human trafficking, is also a survivor of sex trafficking. In an exclusive interview with East County Magazine originally aired on KNSJ radio, Torres speaks out on her own experience, how to protect teens from traffickers, and how to get help for victims here in San Diego County, a national hub for human trafficking.

She also calls for repeal of a state law, Senate Bill 357, that decriminalized loitering to solicit prostitution, which she says has cut off the main avenue for victims to get help. 

“Because of this new law, police can’t stop, cite or arrest anyone for loitering to solicit prostitution,” including victims as well as men driving around looking to pick up prostitutes. But when police can’t detain trafficking victims, the victims don’t get referred to programs that can help them escape from being trafficked, says Torres, who was also a panelist at a recent presentation of “Stolen,” an NBC San Diego investigative series on trafficking.

Audio: 


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INMATE DIES IN CENTRAL JAIL, HOURS AFTER RELEASE FROM HOSPITAL

By Miriam Raftery

February 25, 2023 (San Diego) – A man arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and causing an accident that seriously injured a motorcyclist has died in San Diego County’s Central Jail. 

Robert Shuey, 67, of San Clemente was arrested in Oceanside shortly before 4 a.m. on Feb. 21 by the Oceanside Police Department. He was taken to a hospital for medical evaluation.  After the hospital cleared him medically later that morning, he was booked into the Vista Detention facility and then transferred at 11 a.m. to San Diego Central Jail.

Shortly before 8 p.m., during an hourly safety check, Shuey was found unresponsive in his cell. Deputies and medical staff immediately responded to the location and began CPR, according to the Sheriff’s department. Paramedics arrived and took over life-saving measures, but despite these efforts, Shuey was pronounced dead before he could be transported to a hospital.


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ATTORNEY GENERAL BONTA, SAN DIEGO HUMAN TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE ANNOUNCE TRAFFICKING ARRESTS IN OPERATION BETTER PATHWAYS

During multi-day operation, task force makes 48 arrests, offers support to 41 individuals, and recovers two firearms

Source: Attorney General Rob Bonta

Tuesday, February 21, 2023 (San Diego) --  As part of a joint investigation through the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force (SDHTTF), California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the results of Operation Better Pathways during a press conference in San DIego. The multi-jurisdictional operation, which concluded earlier this month, is part of a broader, regional effort to combat human trafficking and sexual exploitation through targeted enforcement, relying both on surveillance of known locations and officers working undercover. 

As a result of the multi-day operation, 48 individuals were arrested for alleged human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and other criminal offenses, 41 individuals — including eight children — were offered support services, and two firearms were recovered, including a ghost gun.


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SUSPICIOUS DEATH OF WOMAN AT ESCONDIDO HOMELESS CAMP ON I-15

By Miriam Raftery

February 15, 2023 (Escondido) – The California Highway Patrol is investigating a suspected homicide on state property. The victim is a woman found  dead on the El Norte onramp to northbound I-15, near a known homeless encampment. 

Officers observed signs of foul play including defensive wounds to the victim, according to the CHP.

 

CHP was notified by Escondido Police at 7:22 last night and responded to the scene, along with the Escondido Fire Department, which pronounced the victim dead. Officers secured the area and declared it a crime scene.


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WOMAN ARRESTED AFTER FATAL CRASH IN LAKE MURRAY AREA

Update February 15, 2023:   The vicitm has been identified as Terry Dana Lee, 67, of El Cajon.

East County News Service

February 14, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – A 51-year-old San Diego woman is under arrest after running a red light and striking a motorcycle, causing death of the drive yesterday morning, according to San Diego Police Dept.


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REPORT OF MAN TRYING TO GRAB CHILD IN LAKESIDE WAS "UNFOUNDED", SHERIFF FINDS

Update 5 p.m.:  The Sheriff  has released a statement calling the students' report "unfounded."  Here is the full statement:

After further investigation, Detectives have determined this incident near Lakeside Middle School was unfounded. There is no danger to the community. We thank the public and the media for their cooperation and understanding.

 

East County News Service

February 8, 2022 (Lakeside) – Public help is sought by the San Diego County Sheriff’s department to find a man suspected of trying to grab a child walking to school in Lakeside yesterday around 8 a.m.


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DEPUTY ARRESTED FOR DRUGS FOUND IN VEHICLE AT COUNTY JAIL FACILITY

 

By Miriam Raftery

February 4. 2023 (San Diego) -- Detectives from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department conducted an investigation and arrested Deputy Allen Wereski for bringing drugs onto jail property, after suspected cocaine was located inside his vehicle. He has been booked into the Central Jail.

Wereski has been suspended without pay from the Sheriff's Department. It is unclear what prompted the seasrch of his vehicle, and whether the suspected drug stash was for Wereski’s personal use, illicit sale or smuggling into the jail.


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SHERIFF UNVEILS SWEEPING CHANGES TO REDUCE JAIL DEATHS, IMPROVE HEALTH AND SAFETY IN COUNTY DETENTION FACILITIES

East County News Service

February 4, 2023 (San Diego) -- San Diego County jails have in recent years had the highest number of jail deaths of any major county in California. Many of those deaths have been due to drug overdoses, including Fentanyl. That’s prompted an investigation by the state auditor and calls for reforms from politicians.

Now, newly elected Sheriff Kelly Martinez (photo) has announced numerous changes aimed at improvement the health and safety of people in custody.  Those changes include:


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STOLEN DOCUMENTARY REVEALS SAN DIEGO CHILD TRAFFICKING EPIDEMIC

Story and photos by Shiloh Ireland and Miriam Raftery 

View video by Douglas Quaid including event highlights and ECM interviews with Monica Dean (photo, left) and Dr. Rhonda Taylor

 

January 28, 2023 (Lakeside) Sex trafficking of children inSan Diego is happening in every single school district inSan Diego County, NBC San Diego investigative reporter Monica Dean (photo, left) told parents and teachers during a showing othe documentary film Stolen at El Capitan High School in Lakeside on January 19.

 

That shocking evidence was found during NBC San Diegoaward-winning investigative reporting series on which the film is based. Dean, a mother of three young children, hopes to raise awareness to protect vulnerable children and teens in the community from exploitation by traffickers. We all have to stand up against them, she says of traffickers. We all have a role to play.

 

San Diego is one of the country’s hotspots for trafficking of adults and children – the FBI has ranked San Diego as one of the 13 worst regions in the United States with up to 8,000 victims per year.


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BORDER OFFICERS IN SAN DIEGO KICK OFF NEW YEAR WITH NINE SEIZURES WORTH OVER $9 MILLION IN DANGEROUS DRUGS

Source:  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

January 28, 2023 (San Diego) - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from the San Diego Field Office kicked off the new year strong, seizing more than $9 million worth of dangerous drugs at its ports of entry. From January 4 through January 22, nine significant seizures led CBP officers to extract 515 packages of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin from travelers’ vehicles.


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MAN ARRESTED FOR SETTING FIRE TO HOME IN EL CAJON

By Miriam Raftery

January 27, 2023 (El Cajon) – A house fire this morning in unincorporated El Cajon has been determined to be arson.Shaun Maize, 44, has been arrested and charged with arson. He will be booked at San Diego Central Jail. 


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CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS AND FAMILY OF TYRE NICHOLS URGE CALM AS VIDEO OF POLICE KILLING SET FOR RELEASE

By Miriam Raftery

Photos via Nichols family: Tyre Nichols, before the deadly altercation and in hospital, where he died of injuries sustained.

January 27, 2023 (San Diego) – Police departments across the nation are gearing up for potential protests with a video due for release tonight showing the killing of Tyre Nichols, a Black man, by five Memphis police officers, who are also Black. The officers have all been charged with second degree murder as well as aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression. All five officers have been fired and were booked into jail on Thursday.

Civil rights leaders and Nichols’ family are urging that protests stay peaceful as they seek justice following their son’s death.


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