Crime Beat

JUDGE ENDS RESTRAINNG ORDER AGAINST COUNCILMEMBER LEBARON

East County News Service

June 22, 2022 (Lemon Grove) – A judge has lifted a restraining order which had barred Lemon Grove Councilmember Liana LeBaron from her home due to her husband accusing her of assault. The order was ended after LeBaron’s husband, Timothy Howell, told the judge that the couple had sorted matters out civilly.


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SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR THEFTS FROM ELDERLY IN LEMON GROVE STORES

East County News Service

June 19, 2022 (Lemon Grove) – A suspect accused of robbing elderly victims inside grocery stores in Lemon Grove was arrested on June 10, thanks to help from the public, says Detective Freddy Herrero of the Lemon Grove Sheriff’s substation.


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OVERDOSE MEDICATION NOW AVAILABLE IN COUNTY JAILS

East County News Service

June 17, 2022 (San Diego) -- People in custody at all San Diego County Sheriff's Department Jails now have easy access to lifesaving medication to help prevent overdoses.


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SAN DIEGO FBI SEEKS PUBLIC’S HELP TO FIND MAN WANTED FOR QUESTIONING IN DEATH OF RACQUEL SABEAN IN MEXICO

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation

Photos taken June 15, 2022

 

June 17, 2022 (San Diego)  – The San Diego FBI is seeking the public’s assistance to locate Tyler Adams, a white male, age 50, for questioning regarding the disappearance of Racquel Sabean in Mexico. Decomposed remains believed to be Sabean’s were found in a vehicle known to be driven by her. 

 

Adams was detained in Mexico on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, by Mexican authorities pursuant to an Amber Alert issued in Mexico for Sabean’s missing 7-month-old daughter. The 7-month-old child was later found safe and remains in protective custody in Mexico. 


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REWARD FOR IDENTITY OF SHOOTING SUSPECT IN LEMON GROVE

Source: San Diego County Crime Stoppers

June 16, 2022 (Lemon Grove) --  San Diego County Crime Stoppers and investigators from the Lemon Grove Sheriff's Substation want the public's help in identifying and locating a suspect wanted in a shooting that occurred on June 1, says Sargeant Noah Zarnow.


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TEEN ARRESTED FOR SCHOOL BURGLARIES IN EAST COUNTY

East County News Service

June 16, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) -- Sheriff's Deputies have arrested an 18-year-old man in connection with a string of school burglaries in East County.

Over the past several months, numerous schools have been burglarized in the Alpine, Lakeside and Santee areas.  Several computers and tablets were stolen from the schools. 


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GRANITE HILLS TEACHER ACCUSED OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

By Miriam Raftery

June 15, 2022 (El Cajon) - The Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) and El Cajon Police have launched investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct by a Granite Hills High School teacher.


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FAKE OFFICER IN SILVER CAMRY PULLED OVER AT LEAT 10 MOTORISTS: DETECTIVES SEEK MORE VICTIMS

By Miriam Raftery

June 14, 2022 (San Diego) – A man arrested yesterday for impersonating a Sheriff’s officer while pulling over a female motorist in Fallbrook conducted at least 10 other fake traffic stops in Bonsall, Fallbrook and Oceanside since last August.  Detectives with the Fallbrook Sheriff’s substation are looking for more victims, says Detective Lester Garman.


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JONES ASKS JUDGE TO BLOCK PLACEMENT OF PREDATOR IN BORREGO SPRINGS

East County News Service

Photos: Michael Martinez, sexually violent predator proposed for release in Borrego Springs

June 14, 2022 (Borrego Springs) -- State Senator Brian W. Jones (R-Santee) has sent a letter to San Diego County Superior Court Judge David Gill asking that sexually violent predator (SVP) Michael Martinez not be paroled out of the State Hospital and into the community of Borrego Springs.

Martinez was convicted between 1979-2004 in four separate cases of child molestation, lewd or lascivious acts on a child under 14, and has been designated a sexually violent predator by the state.


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TEEN ARRESTED FOR SHOOTING DEATH OF 15-YEAR-OLD IN LEMON GROVE

East County News Service

June 14, 2022 (Lemon Grove) – A 15-year-old boy has been arrested for the murder of a teenager and classmate who was found dead with gunshot wounds on June 11.


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TEEN, 15, FOUND DEAD WITH GUNSHOT WOUND IN LEMON GROVE

East County News Service

June 11, 2022 (Lemon Grove) – A 15-year-old boy was found dead at the corner of Palm and Mulder Streets in Lemon Grove shortly before 2 a.m.  Deputies and firefighters found the body after responding to a report of a male with a gunshot wound.


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STABBING SUSPECT ARRESTED AFTER SEARCH IN CASA DE ORO

By Miriam Raftery

June 8, 2022 (Spring Valley) – A stabbing suspect has been apprehended following a  search yesterday in the Casa de Oro area of Spring Valley. Rene Soto, 41, is charged with assault with a deadly weapon.


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EL CAJON POLICE DOG STABBED WHILE APPREHENDING SUSPECT; OFFICER ALSO ASSAULTED

 

East County News Service

June 2, 2022 (El Cajon) – An El Cajon Police dog was stabbed in the head yesterday by a knife-wielding suspect who also charged at an officer, says Lt. Nick Sprecco with the El Cajon Police Department.


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BILL WOULD ALLOW LAWSUITS FOR MARKETING GUNS TO KIDS

By Nigel Duara, CalMatters

CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters

Photo:  WEE1 Tactical claims their JR-15 .22 caliber long rifle is 20% smaller than a traditional AR-15. Screenshot via YouTube

May 28, 2022 (San Diego) - The man at the gun show lifted a 2.2 pound rifle and pulled back the stock with an audible “chock,” presenting it to the YouTube segment’s host.  


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AS JUNE 7 PRIMARY NEARS, A CROWDED FIELD RUNS FOR SHERIFF

By Elijah McKee

 

Photos, left to right:  Dave Myers, Kelly Martinez, John Hemmerling, Charles Battle, Juan Carlos Mercado, Gundo Gunderson, Jonathan Peck

 

May 26, 2022 (San Diego's East County) — A seat of power will soon be filled in San Diego County that has not seen turnover since 2009: the Sheriff. 


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MAN ARRESTED FOR MURDER OF MOTHER, 88, IN EL CAJON

East County News Service

May 20, 2022 (El Cajon) – Chase Folkes, 55, has been arrested and charged with the murder of his mother, 88-year-old Carolyn Jean Folkes. 

Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call from a man requesting help at a home in the 1200 block of Corto Lane in unincorporated El Cajon at 1:30 a.m. on May 19.  They found Carolyn Folkes dead in the home with trauma to her upper body.


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ARREST MADE FOR MURDER OF MAN WHOSE BODY WAS FOUND BY HIKERS JAN. 23 IN SPRING VALLEY

East County News Service

May 18, 2022 (Spring Valley) – Two people have been arrested for the murder of Ronald Ray McKinney, 59. His body was found by hikers on January 23 off the roadway in the 3500 block of Millar Ranch Road in Spring Valley.


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SHERIFF ANNOUNCES END TO ZERO BAIL

East County News Service

Photo:  CC by NC-ND

May 17, 2022 (San Diego) – Effective May 15, zero bail adopted as an emergency measure during the pandemic has ended.

In March 2020, the Governor’s executive order gave the Judicial Council of California and its Chairperson, the state’s Chief Justice, the authority to take actions necessary to maintain access to the essential court operations and protect the health and safety of California residents, including incarcerated persons,


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INTERNET CRIMES TASK FORCE PROTECTING CHILDREN RECEIVES FUNDING

ICAC had faced funding cuts

 

By J.W. August, freelance journalist

 

May 16, 2022 (San Diego) -- With the internet came all sorts of crimes into our homes by way of our own computers. It can be a doorway to a very dark place, and that’s the reason ICAC--Internet Crimes Against Children-- came into being. Getting the money to keep it operational is important to those concerned about the issue, like North County resident Julie Levi who wondered “why is the governor not funding the ICAC Task Force?  If you have any insights, I’d love to hear them!"


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VIEW OUR INTERVIEW WITH JOHN HEMMERLING, PROSECUTOR RUNNING FOR SHERIFF

 

By Miriam Raftery

May 10, 2022 (San Diego) – John Hemmerling is a  a retired Marine Corps Colonel and combat veteran, a former San Diego Police officer, and he’s served as head prosecutor in the city of San Diego’s Criminal and Community Justice Division. Now he’s running for San Diego Sheriff, hoping to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of former Sheriff Bill Gore. 

East County Magazine recently sat down for an in-depth interview wit Hemmerling for his goals if elected.  View the interview.   View a followup question on scanner traffic. Hear an audio version aired on KNSJ Radio.

“Probably my most relevant experience would be the leadership that I bring,” he said.  “You need strong leadership at the top. I’ve spent 36 plus years in public service.”  That includes combat tours and running jails in Iraq.  As a police officer he worked nearly a decade in City Heights, obtained his law degree and eventually became chief legal counsel for San Diego Police before his current position as chief criminal prosecutor for the city of San Diego.

Audio: 


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LAKESIDE AWAITS ANSWERS AS HATE CRIME STABBING TRIALS CONTINUE INTO SUMMER

By Elijah McKee


May 8, 2022 (Lakeside) — Lakeside residents concerned with the Sheriff’s handling of the recent hate crime stabbing investigation still await clarity, while the 16 year-old boy charged in the attack on a teen girl has his next court appearance on June 6. He has pleaded not guilty on attempted murder and hate crime charges. His 15 year-old girlfriend was also recently rearrested for further involvement in the attack than previously thought. 

 

The boy’s father, who was present for the attack, has not been arrested. The District Attorney’s office has said the investigation is ongoing. 

 

The stabbing, which took place on April 16 around 11 p.m. at the Woodglen Apartments on Mapleview Street in Lakeside, was related to previous verbal altercations between the parties, who live near each other. Racial hate speech was present during these verbal incidents as well as during the physically violent escalation.


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STABBING SUSPECT ARRESTED IN EL CAJON AFTER DISPUTE OVER DEBT

By Miriam Raftery

May 9, 2022 (El Cajon) – Hakim Wakil Rashid, 52, has been arrested for allegedly stabbing a man in the head and back earlier today in downtown El Cajon.


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SUSPECTED SERIAL THIEF ARRESTED, TIED TO MAGNOLIA HOMELESS CAMP AS CITIES AND COUNTY WEIGH REGIONAL SOLUTION TO HOMELESSNESS

By Miriam Raftery

May 7, 2022 (El Cajon) – A man accused of stealing a bicycle and a suitcase full of goods from a Target Store was arrested following a pursuit by El Cajon Police officers on Monday, May 2.  According to Lt. Randy Soulard, the suspect, Sterle Floyd Sisco lived at a homeless camp at Magnolia near the Vernon St. overpass in the unincorporated area. Sisco was on probation for assault with a deadly weapon and has an extensive criminal history including prior arrests for assault, burglary, theft, domestic violence and drug possession. He is also a suspect in numerous prior retail thefts.

The recent arrest highlights concerns over the encampment just days after Supervisor Joel Anderson held a press conference calling for a regional solution to homelessness, an action that will require cooperation from the four cities in East County.


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BODY FOUND IN BURNED HOME AFTER RESIDENT HURLED INCENDIARY DEVICES AT DEPUTIES SERVING EVICTION NOTICE

East County News Service

Photo courtesy of NBC 7, an ECM news partner

 

May 6, 2022 (El Cajon) – One person is dead and a woman in her 60s suffered moderate burns after a man being served with an eviction notice at 1282 Redwood Avenue in El Cajon hurled incendiary devices at deputies.  


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MAN ARRESTED FOR ARSON FIRES

East County News Service

May 2, 2022 (Vista) - A man has been arrested on suspicion of setting several fires in the North County, says Sergeant Anthony Portillo with the Sheriff’s bomb arson unit.


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COUNTYWIDE EFFORT AIMS TO ELIMINATE DUI FATALITIES, INJURIES

By José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office

May 1, 2022 (San Diego) - About seven San Diegans are injured every day in motor vehicle crashes involving drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol.

On April 29, the County Health and Human Services Agency, San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan, and other community partners joined forces in support of Vision Zero, a countywide initiative to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries related to driving under the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs to zero by 2025.

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LEMON GROVE COUNCILMEMBER TO FACE RESTRAINING ORDER AND POTENTIAL CRIMINAL CHARGES IN COURT AFTER ACCUSATION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

By Elijah McKee

 

Rebecca Jefferis Williamson contributed to this report.

 

April 29, 2022 (Lemon Grove) — Lemon Grove Councilmember Liana LeBaron was arrested and charged with domestic violence on April 18 by the San Diego County Sheriff’s department, following an altercation with her husband over his life insurance policy.

 

A restraining order was filed the next day under the name Timothy C. Howell, which required that LeBaron leave her home upon its court approval. The protective order will last until May 10, when LeBaron will appear in court to address the issue. 


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MAN TRIES TO LURE BOY INTO VAN IN SANTEE

Source:  San Diego County Sheriff

April 20, 2022 (Santee) - The Santee Sheriff’s Station wants parents to be aware after a stranger followed and approached a child.  

It happened on Tuesday, April 19 around 3:30 p.m. as the 16-year-old boy was riding his bicycle home from Mast Park in the 9100 block of Carlton Hills Boulevard. The incident was reported to the Sheriff's Department an hour later.


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THREE ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO STABBING IN SPRING VALLEY

Source:  San Diego County Sheriff

April 19, 2022 (Spring Valley) - Three people are under arrest in connection with a stabbing in Spring Valley.It happened on Monday, April 18 just before 10:00 p.m. near a fast food restaurant in the 8700 block of Jamacha Boulevard.


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TEEN SUSPECT IN STABBING OF GIRL, 16, IN LAKESIDE REPORTEDLY YELLED RACIAL SLURS

Sheriff plans community forum on public safety in Lakeside

Update 5:30 p.m:  The 16-year-old suspect has been arrested. The Lakeside Sheriff’s substation thanks the community and the Fugitive Task Force for its assistance on this case.

East County News Service

April 18, 2022 (Lakeside) -- Sheriff's deputies are searching for a 16-year-old boy suspected of stabbing a teenage girl in Lakeside Saturday night, April 16 shortly after 11 p.m. at an apartment in the 12000 block of Mapleview Street.


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