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.

Dirt-Bike Rider Killed In Barrio Logan Crash

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  • 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

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  • 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.

Reward Offered For Suspect In Santee Credit-Card Thefts

  • 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.

Motorcyclist Dies In South Bay Collision

  • 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.

Good Samaritan Killed In I-8 Bridge Crash

  • 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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