Cold Case Death; Police Chase; School Threat: SD County Crime Log

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA – The following is a collection of this week's police, fire and courtroom stories from across San Diego County.

Threat Made In Bathroom Prompts Police Patrol At Carlsbad School

Police Friday will be patrolling the area of La Costa Canyon High School after a parent reported a threat made to the school.

Tips Sought In Disappearance Of Young Indiana Woman In San Diego

Lateche Norris' mother has told reporters she fears for her daughter's safety due to serious fights the young woman has had with Joey Smith.

Victim Of Possibly Intentional San Diego Hit-Run Fatality ID'd

Paramedics took Octavio Mendoza, 40, to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Trial Ordered For Man Accused Of Driving Off San Diego Cliff With Kids

Robert Brians, 48, is accused of abducting his twin daughters from his parents' home on June 13, 2020, then speeding off Sunset Cliffs.

San Diego Police Continue Search To Find Suspect In 2003 Cold Case Death

On Nov. 16, 2003, police found 25-year-old Salvador Mercado with stab wounds at a house party in San Diego.

Man Dies After Smashing Into Semi-Truck Trailer In Escondido

Heavy fog is a suspected factor in the death of a man that crashed his car into a trailer attached to a big rig on Interstate 15.

San Diego Prisoner's Death Ruled An Accident

A San Diego Central Jail inmate died from combined fentanyl and methamphetamine toxicity, according to an autopsy report.

4 Attempt To Cross Border, 3 Seriously Injured Near Otay Mesa

Three victims were transported to UC San Diego Medical Center in life-threatening condition. The fourth was taken into custody.

Trial Begins For Ex-La Mesa Cop Charged With Filing False Report

Matthew Dages is charged with a felony count of filing a false police report and could face up to three years in prison if convicted.

4 Attempt To Cross Border, 3 Seriously Injured Near Otay Mesa

Three victims were transported to UC San Diego Medical Center in life-threatening condition. The fourth was taken into custody.

Domestic Violence Call Leads To High-Speed Chase In East County

The man was detained after leading police on a high-speed chase that ended at an El Cajon gas station.

2 Displaced After Apartment Fire in Linda Vista

The Red Cross provided housing assistance to the two displaced victims.

Tips Sought In Disappearance Of Indiana Woman In San Diego

The last known whereabouts of Lateche Norris, 20, were in the East Village on Nov. 4, when she was seen with her boyfriend, police said.

Tips Sought In Case of Missing Fallbrook Woman With Dementia

Officials are asking Fallbrook residents to check their own properties to see if she may have gotten lost in one of their yards.

Man Claims Dreadlocks Kept Him From Being Hired By San Diego Employer

The CROWN Act is a state law prohibiting employers from withholding employment based on discrimination against the applicant's hairstyle.

Man Gets Probation For Arson Fire In La Mesa Chase Bank

Ricky Cooper, 34, pleaded guilty last month to arson and burglary charges for the May 30, 2020, fire inside the Chase bank branch.

Appeals Court Upholds CA's High Capacity Magazine Ban

The ban outlaws magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.

Trial Ordered For Cop Accused Of Brandishing Gun Off-Duty In Pacific Beach

Trevor Sterling, 34, is accused of pulling the firearm in a threatening manner on July 31 outside Moonshine Beach on Garnet Avenue.

Man Arrested On Weapons Charges In Ramona

John Romeo, 57, was arrested on suspicion of "numerous weapons-related charges" and booked at San Diego Central Jail.

Sedan Strikes, Injures Scooter Driver, Flees Scene In Linda Vista

The man suffered a broken nose, fractured shoulder and cuts on his face, police report.

Cause Of San Diego Jail Death Deferred

An autopsy failed to pinpoint the reason an inmate at the San Diego Central Jail died during breakfast after complaining of pain.

Police Seek Public's Help In Solving Shooting Death Of Boy

The 12-year-old boy was shot in the backyard of a family gathering on Thanksgiving Day.

Woman Sentenced For Cyclist's North County Hit-And-Run Death

A woman who fatally struck a bicyclist in Oceanside then fled the scene was sentenced to two years in state prison.

Family Disturbance Turns Into Attempted Kidnapping In San Diego

Police confirmed a man allegedly attempted to kidnap his grandmother.

San Diego Police Academy's Diversity Push Shows Progress In 2021

Each of the three academy classes in 2021 had 68 percent of recruits being people of color, according to Ashley Bailey of the SDPD.

Argument Leads To Stabbing In San Diego

A 35-year-old motorist was stabbed three times Saturday by his passenger, police said.

Truck Driver Killed After Hitting Two Parked Cars In San Diego

A 69-year-old man was killed Saturday after his truck struck two parked cars in the Oak Park neighborhood, police said.