Crime & Safety
Credit Union Hold-Up; Dogs Dumped: La Mesa, SD Co. Police Log
Multiple fatalities in multiple car crashes, death penalty stands in Danielle Van Dam murder and other crime news this week from the area.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA – The following is a collection of police, courtroom and fire stories from this week across San Diego County.
'So Matted They Could Barely Move': Ill Dogs Dumped In Park
- This is the second report in less than a week of pups abandoned in Escondido.
Find out what's happening in La Mesa-Mount Helixfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- The 19-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene on Wednesday night, authorities said.
East County Man Killed In Freeway Crash In Riverside Area
- The 28-year-old was involved in an accident on I-10 and had stepped out of his car to check the damage when hit by an oncoming vehicle: CHP.
Driver Crashes Into Yard, Cars, Ditches Injured Passengers: Cops
Find out what's happening in La Mesa-Mount Helixfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Escondido police said they tracked the suspect to a nearby garage, where he was arrested for suspicion of hit-and-run and other charges.
Credit Union Robbed In Rancho Bernardo
- The suspect was described by police as a white man with a mustache, who had a bandana around his head and was carrying a motorcycle helmet.
- After stealing a handbag with credit cards, the suspect went on a $7K shopping spree, deputies said.
Missing Oceanside Man Found Unharmed
- The 71-year-old suffers from Alzheimer's disease and dementia, police said.
- The 54-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
Man Suffers Life-Threatening Injuries In Tree Crash In Oceanside
- The driver was listed in critical condition after the early-morning wreck on Melrose Drive, police said.
2 Injured In Multi-Car Crash On I-5 Near Old Town
- The two suffered major injuries and were transported to UC San Diego Medical Center, officials said.
Border Agent Assault Lands Man Behind Bars For 30 Months
- John Leland Combs was convicted for driving off while the officer was reaching inside his car, officials said.
2 Marijuana Dispensaries Shuttered By Authorities
- San Diego County Sheriff's deputies said numerous complaints came in over the operations in Valley Center.
Man Leads Chase From Escondido, Fires Shots At Officers: Police
- The incident began after a person reported that an individual in a Dodge Charger was shooting at a house, officials said.
FBI Seeks More Alleged Sex-Assault Victims Of Photographer
- The 52-year-old was arrested in the fall in Carlsbad. Law enforcement is working to identify additional possible victims from model shoots.
Motorist, 19, Jailed in Triple-Fatal Crash in Oceanside
- Mason Robert Fish was arrested for suspected DUI in the wreck that killed three and injured another three individuals, officials said.
La Jolla Gallery Owner, Employee Convicted For Ivory Trafficking
- "If you try to make a buck from the brutal slaughter of endangered species, you will be prosecuted and held accountable for your crimes."
Student Seriously Injured In Hit-and-Run Near Palomar College
- The vehicle involved was described as a dark-colored, older model Toyota pickup with damage to the front passenger side, officials said.
- The man stopped to assist a driver who wrecked his car on the icy roads near Pine Valley, officials said.
Coronado High Student Arrested for Alleged Social Media Threat
- Officers took the suspect into custody.
3 Killed, 3 Injured In Pickup-Truck Crash In Oceanside
- The vehicle reportedly plowed into a passenger-packed car at a busy intersection, officials said.
Death Sentence Upheld For Killer Of Danielle Van Dam
- The nation was gripped during search for 7-year-old kidnapped from her San Diego home, and arrest & trial of neighbor David Westerfield.
Spike Strip Ends Chase From Mission Valley To Mira Mesa: Police
- A female suspect was arrested after officials said she stole a pickup at a gas station and took off, leading law enforcement on pursuit.
--Image via SD Humane Society/City News Service contributed to this post
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