San Diego Police

COVID IS TOP COP KILLER IN CALIFORNIA AND U.S., YET OFFICERS RESIST VACCINE MANDATES

 

476 of 605 officer deaths in 2020 and 2021 in the U.S. were due to COVID-19

 

By Miriam Raftery

October 17, 2021 (San Diego) – Law enforcement officers risk their lives daily to protect the public. Yet many have voiced fear over COVID-19 vaccines as their unions push back against mandates.

The irony is that according to the “Officer Down Memorial Page,” the greatest risk by far to the lives of police and other law enforcement officers isn’t an armed criminal. In 2020 and 2021, COVID-19 killed by far more law enforcement officers nationally and statewide than anything else. In California last year, COVID took the lives of more officers than all other causes of death combined.


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SIX ARRESTED IN SWEEP OF ILLEGAL DISPENSARIES

East County News Service

July 29, 2020 (San Diego) – Yesterday morning, Tuesday, deputies and investigators from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, assisted by San Diego and Chula Vista police officers, served search warrants at five illegal marijuana dispensaries in Spring Valley, Lakeside, and Chula Vista. Search warrants were also served at two related residences in Jamul and San Diego, as well as a storage facility in Spring Valley, says Sergeant Zheath Sanchez with the Sheriff’s Department.

Investigators seized more than 1.1 million dollars in cash, as well as more than 3,000 pounds of marijuana, marijuana edibles, concentrated cannabis, suspected Psilocybin mushrooms, and twenty firearms including three semi-automatic rifles.


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12 ILLNESSES LINKED TO "SPICE" SYNTHETIC DRUGS

 

East County News Service

November 29, 2015 (San Diego)--Synthetic marijuana known as spice is being blamed for making a dozen people fall ill downtown near Petco Park over the weekend, according to San Diego Police, including two who were hospitalized. Symptoms ranged from vomiting to falling unconscious.


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ARMED AND DANGEROUS: MACHETE MURDER SUSPECT WANTED

 

East County News Service

November 12, 2015 (Rolando) – San Diego Police seek public help to locate Vicent “Chente” Garza Salas, 22.  He is suspected of murdering 43-year-old Vincente Carrera with a machete on Nov. 5 at 10 p.m. at a home in the 6800 block of Waite Drive in the Rolando area, just west of La Mesa.


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GIRL, 10, MISSING SINCE WEDNESDAY IN EUCLID AREA

 

June 7, 2015 (San Diego) – San Diego Police seek help to find Isabella Keating, a 10-year-old girl who disappeared after leaving Horton Elementary School on Wednesday, June 3rd around 2 p.m. and has not been seen since then.   The school is located at 5050 Guymon Street in the Euclid area.


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WITNESSES SOUGHT TO ARSON FIRES IN CITY HEIGHTS

 

East County News Service

November 24, 2014 (City Heights) -- The San Diego Police is rounding up suspects in a wave of arson fires that have struck Mid-City neighborhoods in recent weeks. Investigators believe several arsonists may be responsible for at least 16 fires set mostly in neighborhoods in and near City Heights. Now, investigators are asking for the public’s help.


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LA MESA POLICE ARREST SDPD OFFICER FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST HIS WIFE

 

 

April 23, 2014 (La Mesa) – San Diego Police Officer Gilbert Anthony Lorenzo has been arrested by La Mesa Police yesterday for felony domestic violence against his wife. La Mesa Police Chief Matt Nicholas said that the victim did not require medical attention.

Officer Lorenzo, who has worked for SDPD for seven years, was released on $50,000 bail and has been suspended from duty, SDPD Chief Shelley Zimmerman said.


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SAN DIEGO POLICE SEEK MASKED MAN IN BLACK VEHICLE WHO KIDNAPPED & SEXUALLY ASSAULTED GIRL, 12

 

Update: Police have concluded that this incident was a hoax; the girl has admitted she was not abducted by a stranger.

By Miriam Raftery

April 23, 2014 (San Diego) – San Diego Police are seeking a man in  a black mask, driving an older black SUV or van who reportedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl. The girl was walking near the 4700 block of F Street about 7 p.m.Monday evening when she was abducted at gunpoint.

According to police, the suspect is described as a black man, 40-50 years old, with tattoos on his hands and arm. He wore a black mask, shirt and pants and was driving an older black SUV or van.  He was armed with a handgun.


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NEW SAN DIEGO POLICE CHIEF NAMED

 

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

February 27, 2014 (San Diego) – San Diego Police Department will soon be headed up by its first female Chief.  Assistant Chief Shelley Zimmerman will replace retiring Chief William Lansdowne, who steps down March 3.  Lansdowne leaves office following a series of scandals including allegations of sexual misconduct by officers, so the choice of a woman to head up the department can be viewed as sending a strong signal that the city is serious about cleaning up the department's tarnished image.

Zimmerman has the support of Mayor-Elect Kevin Faulconer as well as the San Diego Police Officers Association.


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SAN DIEGO POLICE CHIEF STEPS DOWN

 

 

By Nadin Abbott

February 26, 2014 (San Diego) Chief William Lansdowne has announced he will step down as the San Diego Police Chief effective on March 3. This comes amid a series of scandals involving the police force.


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SDPD OFFICER SAVES MAN FROM BURNING CAR

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 1, 2013 (San Diego) – An unconscious motorist was rescued from a burning car in Grantville Saturday night by San Diego Police Officer Scott Brengi. 

After the vehicle rolled over, the driver was trapped upside down, suspended by a seatbelt, when the vehicle caught fire.Officer Brengi pried open the door and crawled in on his back to pull the driver to safety as flames reached the passenger compartment..

“The Officer suffered an arm strain and is doing fine," Captain David Rohowits said today.


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POLICE INVESTIGATE FATAL SHOOTING IN ROLANDO

 

December 1, 2013 (Rolando)--San Diego Police Department Homicide Unit detectives are investigating the death of a man in the Rolando area.

On Saturday, November 30th at approximately 11:27 p.m., patrol officers responded to a 911 call of a shooting in the 7100 block of El Cajon Boulevard. Arriving officers located a man in his thirties lying on the ground in a parking lot. He was bleeding from the torso and appeared to have suffered at least one gunshot wound.


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2 MEN ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER OF SD POLICE OFFICER

 

November 17, 2013 (Ramona) – A Ramona resident and a transient have been arrested for the attempted murder of a San Diego Police officer in Poway last night after shots were fired during a traffic stop.


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MEDIA EXPERTS PARTICIPATE IN PANEL TO ADDRESS CONTROVERSIAL PRESS PASS ISSUES

 

By Janis Mork

April 15, 2013 (San Diego)- Last week, in the KPBS studio at San Diego State University, U-T San Diego public engagement reporter Matt Hall moderated a three-member panel  hosted by the San Diego Chapter of Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)  to explore the controversial issue of press credentials.

Should San Diego Police Department stay in charge of who gets press credentials countywide?

Who needs press passes—and how does SDPD determine who does and doesn’t receive them? 

These are among the questions addressed on a panel consisting of  U-T San Diego public safety reporter Kristina Davis, true crime author Caitlin Rother, and freelance videographer James ‘JC’ Playford, who filled in for  San Diego Reader journalist Dorian Hargrove originally scheduled.


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FATAL SHOOTING OF PAROLEE IN COLLEGE AREA

By Miriam Raftery

January 17, 2013 (San Diego)—San Diego Police Department Homicide Unit detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of a parolee by a San Diego Police Officer.  A stand-off ended in arrest of a second suspect. 

During the ordeal, Alvarado Hospital was placed on lockdown briefly and residents of an apartment unit were evacuated while police conducted a search.  A warning was also sent out to SDSU students and faculty, though the campus was not locked down.


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INJURED OFFICER'S FAMILY ASKS PUBLIC TO REFRAIN FROM DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

By Miriam Raftery (photo courtesy of SDPD)

January 7, 2013 (Santee) – San Diego Police Officer Travis Betley has undergone several surgeries since his patrol car was struck December 30 by a pickup truck on Highway 125 in Santee. The driver has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.

“The surgeries have been successful and he is beginning physical therapy,” a statement issued by his family states, adding that Officer Betley has a long road to recovery.  “He has a positive attitude and is ready to face the challenges ahead,” the family adds.  “Travis is a strong young man and is determined to return to the field as quickly as possible...While focusing on the future and Travis’ recovery, the family would like to encourage all to be a good friend, neighbor and family member and remind everyone of the dangers of driving while under the influence."


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POLICE OFFICER SERIOUSLY INJURED IN SANTEE CRASH WITH ALCOHOL-IMPAIRED DRIVER

By Miriam Raftery

December 30, 2012 (Santee) – A San Diego Police officer sustained serious injuries when a pickup truck traveling at a high speed collided with a patrol car. The crash occurred at 2:28 a.m. at the intersection of Mission Gorge Road and State Route 125.  The driver of the truck, who was also injured has been charged with suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.

The pickup truck was driving northbound on State Route 25 when it collided with the patrol car, knocking both vehicles off the road and onto the shoulder on northbound Mission Gorge Road. 

“Fire Department personnel used rescue equipment to cut and pry the car open to extricate the officer,” said Sgt. D. Hale with the San Diego Sheriff.


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ELDERLY LAKE MURRAY MAN INJURED IN DAYLIGHT HOME INVASION ROBBERY

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

November 29, 2012 (Lake Murray) – San Diego Police officers apprehended an adult and a juvenile suspected of beating an elderly resident with a pry bar after forcing their way into his home in the 8400 block of Harwell Drive in the Lake Murray area yesterday afternoon in broad daylight.

The victim suffered a serious head injury and injuries to his arms while trying to defend himself, said Watch Commander Dan Lasher.


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POLICE SEEK ARMED GUNMEN WHO ROBBED FAMILY, FORCED MOM AND CHILDREN INTO CLOSET

November 26, 2012 (San Diego) – San Diego Police seek two suspects who followed two children into a City Heights home, than forced the youngsters and their mother into a closet at gunpoint at 6:34 on Sunday. Suspects then ransacked the house at 3230 Menlo Avenue in the Swan Canyon area and stole property before fleeing. Detailed descriptions of the suspects are below; one was bald and wore glasses, the other had a mustache and tattooed left ear.


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ARMED SUSPECTS WANTED FOR CARJACKING AND ROBBERIES

Update: Suspects are now in custody.

October 30, 2012 (San Diego) -- San Diego Police Department Robbery Unit detectives, in cooperation with detectives from the Escondido Police Department, are investigating a series of armed robberies and a carjacking that occurred throughout the county yesterday in the College Grove, Escondido and Mission Valley areas, as well as burned vehicles used in the crimes that were found in College Grove and Chula Vista.


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TEEN DRIVER CHARGED WITH DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE AFTER SERIOUSLY INJURING TWO PEDESTRIANS

October 28, 2012 (La Mesa) – A 19-year-old driver on his way home from a party this morning lost control of a Chevy Suburban as he accelerated pulling away from a curb at 700 Glencoe Drive in the Jamacha/Lomita area.  He drove onto the wrong side of the street, striking two pedestrians and two parked.

One pedestrian, 19, suffered a brain bleed.  The second pedestrian, 20, sustained a broken clavical and broken ribs. 


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POLICE ARREST SUSPECT IN "HIT AND RUN" BANDITS SERIES

August 10, 2012 (San Diego)--Detectives from the San Diego Police Department’s Robbery Unit have arrested a man suspected of being the mastermind of a criminal enterprise that included a series of strong arm robberies throughout the county. Cedric Johnson, 33, was arrested on August 7 in Los Angeles at his parole agent’s office.


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POLICE WARN OF MAN IN RED VEHICLES TRYING TO KIDNAP YOUNG CHILDREN

May 25, 2012 (San Diego) – San Diego Police have issued a warning that on three occasions in the past two weeks, a man in a red vehicle has attempted to abduct children near Emerson Elementary School in the Mountain View neighborhood in southeast san Diego.


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SUSPECT SOUGHT IN COLLEGE AREA SEXUAL BATTERIES

May 9, 2012 (San Diego) --San Diego Police Department detectives from Eastern Division are investigating a series of sexual batteries that occurred in the College area this morning.     

Today, between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., a male suspect groped four women as they walked on College area streets.  A fourth woman saw the suspect looking into her window. 


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POLICE SEEK MISSING SUICIDAL MAN

April 21, 2012 (San Diego)—San Diego Police are seeking a missing man believed at risk. Hassan Haft, 62, threatened to commit suicide by overdosing with medication, according to a bulletin issued by SDPD.   Hassan is described as an Iranian man with grey hair and hazel eyes, 5 feet 11 inches tall, 210 pounds with a medium build.


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INDECENT EXPOSURE SUSPECT NAMED

April 13, 2012 (San Diego) -- Detectives from the San Diego Police Department’s Northeastern Division have released the name of a male responsible for a series of indecent exposure cases in Rancho Bernardo and Mira Mesa over the past two years. 


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1ST ANNUAL CRASH FOR KIDS GOLF TOURNAMENT ON MARCH 26

March 21, 2012 (San Diego) – Crash for Kids, the first annual golf tournament to benefit the San Diego Police Officers Association’s Widows and Orphans Fund and the San Diego Army Advisory Council, will take place on Monday, March 26 at 10:00 a.m.  The event will be held at The Santaluz Club, located at 8170 Caminito Santaluz E, San Diego.


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POLICE INVESTIGATE SHOOTING OF ROBBERY SUSPECT IN SAN CARLOS

Update March 25, 2012 -- The Medical Examiner has identified the deceased as Dean Leshawn Scott, 29, who died of a gunshot wound to the chest.

March 17, 2012 (San Diego)--San Diego Police Department Homicide Unit detectives are investigating a shooting that took place at the Cotijo Taco Shop, 7285 Navajo Road during a robbery attempt and the death of a man found shot in the 4100 block of 40th Street. 

The deceased man matches the description of the wounded robber.


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ROBBER IN SKELETON MASK, FEMALE ACCOMPLICE SOUGHT

March 9, 2012 (Rancho Penasquitos)-- San Diego Police Department Robbery Unit detectives are investigating two similar commercial robberies committed by a masked suspect in Rancho Penasquitos.

Surveillance video captured the same female entering the business, just prior to the suspect’s entry, in both cases.

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CITIZENS OVERSIGHT SUBMITS COMPLAINT TO GRAND JURY ALLEGING MAYOR SANDERS' EMBEZZLEMENT IN SNAPDRAGON CASE

District Attorney and Mayoral Candidate Bonnie Dumanis Unlikely to Prosecute Due to Political Ties to Sanders, Complaint says

February 26, 2012 (San Diego) - Today, Ray Lutz, national coordinator of Citizens Oversight Projects (COPS - Citizens Oversight, Inc.), submitted a complaint to the San Diego County Grand Jury regarding the claim that Mayor Jerry Sanders committed felony embezzlement by selling promotional signage to Qualcomm, allowing them to change their sign to "Snapdragon" during one NFL football game and two college bowl games for only $1000.


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