Zoo Break-In; Fires; Freeway Chase: La Mesa & Nearby Police Log

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

Suspicious Package Closes San Diego Bank, Surrounding Streets

• Shortly before 6 p.m., a bomb squad blew the package apart.

San Diego County Sheriff Appointed To State Corrections Board

• Bill Gore has been sheriff since 2009, and a member of the department since 2004.

Tips Sought In Escondido Home Burglary

• The suspect posed as a water district worker and told an elderly resident that he needed to inspect the home's plumbing, officials said.

Small Brush Fire Sparks In Ramona

• The blaze was apparently sparked by a lawn mower, a sheriff's lieutenant said.

Motorcyclist Killed In Encinitas ID'd As Valhalla High Coach

• Carter Yarborough, 48, was a cross country coach at Valhalla High School in El Cajon.

Pharmacy To Pay Fine For Failing To Keep Accurate Opioid Records

• The $75,000 settlement is with Archana Corp. in Lakeside and its owners Rajeshbhai Zalavadiya and Ramesh Rakholia.

20 Drug-Trafficking Suspects Indicted In San Diego County

• The suspects – residents of Chula Vista, El Cajon, San Diego and Spring Valley – were arrested as part of a yearlong investigation.

Lemon Grove Homicide Victim Identified

• Juan Martinez, 47, banged on the door of a Lemon Grove home in an apparent last-gasp plea for help, authorities said.

Man Injured In Solana Beach Shooting

• During the investigation one of the subjects admitted gang association.

Preliminary Hearing Set For La Mesa Man Accused In Fatal Shooting

• Christopher James Artale, 41, is charged with murder and personal use of a firearm in the death of 35-year-old Aldo Prado.

Man Breaks Into San Diego Zoo Gift Shop, Tries On Clothes: Police

• Police arrested the man on suspicion of burglary after he was found in the gift shop trying on hats and a sweatshirt.

Man Leads Police On Freeway Chase From South Bay To North County

• The chase began in Chula Vista, where police found a man asleep in his vehicle. It ended over 30 miles away in Solana Beach.

Teenage Bicyclist Injured In Crash With Car In Carlsbad

• The vehicle crossed into a bicycle lane, where it struck the girl before crashing into an electrical box, Lt. Christie Calderwood said.

Firefighter Injured In Brush Fire Near Plaza Bonita Mall

• A National City firefighter suffered burns to his lower back Thursday while on scene of a brush fire that began in a riverbed near the mall.

Authorities Release Sketch Of North County Attempted Rape Suspect

• The suspect grabbed an 18-year-old woman and tried to drag her off a Vista street, fleeing when she fought back and called out for help.

Child Rescued From Cliff In Carlsbad

• Firefighters rescued a 12-year-old from a cliff near North Ponto Beach in Carlsbad.

Fire Sparks At Vons In Coronado, Prompts Evacuations

• Vons on Orange Avenue remains closed due to heavy smoke, water damage and no power.

Brush Fire Prompts Evacuations, Road Closures In Santee

• A drone in the area forced a Cal Fire helicopter to land, officials said.

Image via Patch