Pursuit; Laced Letter; Plane Crash: La Mesa, SD County Crime Log

LA MESA, CA — The following is a collection of this week's police, fire and courtroom stories from across San Diego County.

Stories near La Mesa and East County:

Man Sentenced For New Year's Old Town Train Station Slaying

Ryan Michael Rukstelis, 27, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for the killing of 68-year-old Santee resident Martin Andara.

Carjacking Suspect Arrested By Police After East County Pursuit

A carjacking suspect on parole was taken into custody after a brief pursuit and standoff on an outbuilding's roof, police said.

Woman Accused Of Sending Drug-Soaked Letter To Inmate Arrested

A woman was booked into Las Colinas in Santee on suspicion of sending a drug-laced letter to a San Diego County jail.

Small Aircraft Hits Fence During Emergency Landing In East County

A student pilot and instructor were the only reported passengers aboard the Bellanca Citabria 7ECA, officials said.

Other stories from across the county:

Body Found Near Vista Courthouse

A 53-year-old man was found dead near a makeshift encampment alongside state Route 78 in Vista.

Man Sentenced For Brother's Crossbow Death At City Heights Park

Adam Thomas was convicted by a San Diego jury of first-degree murder for the Aug. 9, 2021, killing of his brother Trenton Thomas.

Man Fatally Struck By Amtrak Train In San Diego

The deadly train collision happened near the intersection of California and Grape streets, officials said.

DUI Checkpoint Scheduled Friday In Carlsbad

The Sean Nava and Stephen Linen Memorial DUI Checkpoint will be held in memory of two officers who were killed in Carlsbad and Encinitas.

Carlsbad Police Officer Who Shot Teenage Boy In Arm ID'd

An officer opened fire on the teen in a dirt lot next to the intersection of Carlsbad Boulevard and Palomar Airport Road, police said.

Tips Sought In Bonita Residential Burglary

A surveillance system captured images of the perpetrator and the car he drove to and from the crime scene.

Man Shot During Argument With Suspect In San Diego

A 32-year-old man was shot during an argument with a 17- or 18-year-old male in San Diego, police said.

Accused Human Smuggling Organization Leader Extradited To San Diego

Prosecutors say Luis Antonio Mendez-Brahan, 55, of Tijuana, ran a smuggling organization for nearly a decade.

Teen Driver Who Died In I-5 Car Crash In North County ID'd

The 19-year-old man was killed last weekend in a freeway car crash in Oceanside.

Fire Sweeps Through Large Building At Warner Springs Resort

The blaze caused an estimated $100,000 worth of damage.

Camp Pendleton Marine Gets Probation, Community Service For Role In Jan. 6

Micah Coomer, a Camp Pendleton Marine, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.

Driver Who Died In Suspected DUI Freeway Crash In Otay Mesa ID'd

Enrique Valerio Lopez of Tijuana died at the scene.

Man Pleads Not Guilty To Manslaughter In Serra Mesa DUI Crash

Andres James Cox, 25, is accused in the Aug. 28 death of 32-year-old Yannira Rodriguez.

Deputy Sentenced To Probation For Stealing Drugs From Patrol Station

Cory Dean Richey, 39, was arrested earlier this year on allegations that he fished drugs out of prescription drug collections boxes.

Driver Killed In Suspected DUI Freeway Crash In Otay Mesa

A 58-year-old motorist was killed over the weekend in a suspected DUI-related collision on Interstate 805 in Otay Mesa, authorities said.

Pedestrian Hospitalized After Hit-And-Run In San Diego

The pedestrian was taken to a hospital with a brain bleed, fractured left wrist and a fractured left thumb, police said.

DUI Suspect Arrested After 1 Killed In I-805 Crash In San Ysidro

A man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after crashing his car into an SUV and killing a person, the CHP said.

Teen Wounded During Shooting With Police In Carlsbad

Paramedics rushed the teenager to a hospital, where he was expected to survive his injuries, said San Diego police Lt. Jud Campbell.

Teen Arrested On Suspicion Of Murder In North County

The suspect, who is not being identified because of his age, was booked into East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility.

2 Killed In Crash After Vehicle Flipped Over Off I-15 In North County

Authorities said it has not been determined if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash.

Man Killed When Vehicle Crashes Into Tree In North County

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Motorcyclist Killed In Point Loma Crash

The motorcycle was the only vehicle involved in the crash.

Authorities Search For Felony Suspect In Ramona

Trevor Swier was described as 32 years old, wearing a neon-green shirt, black hat, black shorts and black backpack.

Almost 200 Pounds Of Liquid Meth Seized By Authorities In Otay Mesa

Officers removed the meth, and it was poured into a half-dozen five-gallon buckets, with a total weight of 195 pounds.