Local News |
September 3rd, 2009 |
Escondido Police Find Methamphetamine and Cash During Search
On Tuesday, August 25, 2009, members of the Escondido Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit served a search warrant at an apartment in the 700 block of E. Mission Avenue. During the search, detectives located approximately one ounce of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and approximately $1,050 in cash.
Detectives arrested Paciano Porfirio Ramirez, 46, of Escondido for Possession of a controlled substance and Possession of a controlled substance for sale.
Ramirez was ultimately booked into the Vista Detention Facility where an immigration hold was added. The street value of the seized narcotics is valued at approximately $1,800.
Escondido Police Uncover Antique Clock Scam
On Tuesday, August 25, 2009, Escondido Police Detectives along with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department arrested Lewis Jack Benjamin, 54, of Pauma Valley for an outstanding felony warrant for Grand Theft.
On Wednesday, August 26, 2009, members of the Escondido Police Department’s Crimes of Property Unit searched two storage containers belonging to Benjamin. Inside the containers, Detectives located dozens of clocks, watches, music boxes and numerous amounts of parts. These items were entrusted to Benjamin as a reliable repairman of antique clocks and never returned to the victims.
Detective Stephen Thompson was contacted by the first of many victims in March of 2009. Thompson has identified more victims from San Diego County and as far away as Texas. Detective Thompson believes there are many more victims that have yet to come forward. At this point, we have identified five victims ranging from 60 to 85 years of age. Of the five victims identified, the total loss is estimated at roughly five thousand dollars. If other victims are identified, that number could go well over ten thousand dollars. Benjamin was ultimately booked into the Vista Detention Facility for the warrant.
If you believe you may be a victim, contact Detective Stephen Thompson to identify your property at 760-839-4406.
Child Left In Car Rushed to Hospital
Police arrested 33 year-old Artemio Diaz of Valley Center, an illegal alien, after a passerby noticed a one year old child in a car, sweating and crying, in sweltering 96 degree heat.
Diaz was arrested on a felony child endangerment charge. The incident took place at the Northgate Market parking lot on Escondido Boulevard shortly after 6pm, Sunday, according to police officials.
Police credit the passer-by with saving the baby’s life. He notified security guards who then called police. An Escondido police officer had to break the windows to retrieve the child. The father did not return to the car for another 25 minutes. There is little question but what the child would have died long before the father’s return.
Diaz was to be booked at the Vista jail Sunday night. The baby will be temporarily placed in protective custody. The baby's mother has been contacted but, because of circumstances out of her control, could not immediately care for the baby, according to police. Diaz is in County Jail with an Immigration Hold.
Legislators Back Off From Helping Richard Keech Obtain Compassionate Release From Prison
Richard Keech, a former Marine and former POW of the Japanese during WWII, is in prison. His story has been carried twice by The Paper in cover stories, the most recent of which was: http://thecommunitypaper.com/archive/2008/10_02/index.php
In its August 20th issue, The Paper editorially asked that Richard Keech be allowed to return home, for compassionate reasons, and be allowed to die amongst his family.
In the editorial/commentary, readers were urged to contact, among others, their legislators, seeking support for a compassionate release.
Assemblyman Martin Garrick stated:
“Assemblyman Garrick acknowledges and appreciates the service and sacrifices made for our country by Mr. Keech. Current law regarding compassionate release is very clear and provides for release in situations where an inmate is terminally ill and/or incapacitated. However, it is the duty of the Parole Board and the Secretary of Corrections, under guidance from a medical doctor, to make that determination and receive approval from a court of law. Furthermore, it is the policy of Assemblyman Garrick to refrain from using his position in the Legislature as a means to influence legal matters.”
As of press time, Senator Mark Wyland was still researching the issue.
Second Striker Vista Gang Member Arrested in Jewelry Store Robbery
Alonso Jose Lopez, 31, Vista, is charged with one felony count each of second degree robbery, second degree commercial burglary, and street terrorism with sentencing enhancements for criminal street gang activity and the vicarious use of a firearm by a gang member, all in connection with allegations that Lopez robbed a female clerk at gunpoint of more than $600,000 from Joshi & Baca, a jewelry store, in Laguna Beach. Lopez has sentencing enhancements for a prior 1998 strike for forcible kidnapping, and two prison priors for a 1997 evading the police and the same 1998 kidnapping conviction. If convicted on all charges, Lopez faces a maximum sentence of 21 years in state prison.
Lopez is accused of being accompanied by two other suspects, all dressed in black with hoods and caps as the store was closing. One of the men is accused of demanding all high-end jewelry from an employee at the store and another was armed with a firearm. Witnesses called 9-1-1 to report the incident and provided the license plate number. The Laguna Beach Police Department (LBPD) responded and investigated this case. Lopez led Laguna Beach police on a high speed chase, then disappeared into a shopping mall. Further investigation led Oceanside Police to a house in Oceanside in San Diego County. Lopez is accused of driving away and leading police on another high-speed chase. He is accused of driving to an agricultural field, exiting the car, and running into the field to hide in a shed. A police canine led them to Lopez.
Lopez is being held on $500,000 bail and was arraigned Monday, Aug. 31, 2009 at which time he pleaded not guilty. His pretrial and bail review hearing will be on September 9th at 8:30am.
San Diego Republicans Having Problems
The San Diego News Network has published a story in which a small but vocal group of local Republicans is accusing county party leaders of conspiring to rig Central Committee elections and abusing office powers. They allege the local party and state party’s chair of dodging campaign finance violation fines, using party resources for personal gain, ignoring party bylaws and State Election Code and harassing and intimidating other party members. They also allege gross and negligent conduct unbecoming of a person in leadership, belligerent violations of state election laws and codified Republican Party Bylaws. As a result they have requested Tony Krvaric tender his resignation, both as Chairman of the Republican Party and as a member of the Republican Party Central Committee. Listing themselves as the Concerned Central Committee Members & Republican Activists, their actions have caused a lot of buzzing within Republican circles. The San Diego News Network reported initially that State investigators have alleged San Diego Republican corruption. The executive director of the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) confirmed it is investigating claims that the San Diego County Republican Party chair Tony Krvaric violated the state’s independent expenditure provision of the Political Reform Act.
Two party members allege Krvaric conspired with candidates for the Republican Central Committee to stack slate mailers with people he considered “team players,” and excluded other party members from the mailers. Slate mailers are the primary means candidates use to get their names out to voters. The complaint also names 2008 Central Committee candidates Michael McSweeney, Warene Wall, Michael Rosen, Gary Felien and Bill Baber.
Four party members were willing to discuss the FPPC investigation and other allegations. Because of their fear of reprisal and concern that Krvaric and party leaders would jeopardize their livelihoods or future aspirations in the party, they requested anonymity in this story.
Krvaric emigrated to the U.S. from Sweden in 1992, became a citizen in 2003, and became active with the San Diego GOP around 2004. A source said Krvaric was excited to be involved and enthusiastic about local politics.
A source said Nehring — former chair of the local party, “took [Krvaric] under his wing.” He appointed Krvaric secretary, and in 2007 when Nehring was elected to the state party, the local Republican Party elected Krvaric chair. The FPPC complaint filed in November alleges a local political action committee (PAC) - Citizens for a Better San Diego - violated the independent expenditure provision of the Political Reform Act. The complaint alleges Krvaric raised funds from party donors for the PAC, and then met with party officers - many of them Krvaric’s “favored” candidates for Central Committee - and planned, coordinated and approved the PAC’s independent expenditures.
Krvaric’s critics say the slate mailers also included names of candidates who did not authorize the advertisement.
The party members who filed the complaint fear perceived corruption or infighting within the ranks of the SDGOP will cost the party critical elections in 2010 and alienate the city’s Republican base, which, according to voter ID numbers, has grown weaker countywide.
One source said he would like to take a vote of no confidence in Krvaric, which could lead to the chair’s ouster. But, he said, it’s difficult to rally support for a vote because party members fear Krvaric’s wrath.
“Tony Krvaric has a habit of harassing, intimidating and coercing individuals to do certain things,” a source said.
Assemblyman Martin Garrick Calls Prison Bill a Threat to Public Safety
Assemblyman Martin Garrick, R-Carlsbad, today voiced his strong opposition to legislation passed by Democrats that will endanger families in North County and throughout California. The Democrat plan paves the way for the early release of thousands of dangerous criminals into communities across the state before they have completed their sentences.
“Last week, our strong opposition to the first prison bill, enabled us to stop a very dangerous piece of legislation. Since that time, my Democrat colleagues have worked behind closed doors to cobble together another bill that they claim does not pose a threat to our families. Make no mistake, this bill will jeopardize public safety,” said Garrick.
The bill approved today, Senate Bill 18xxx, attempts to save money in the state’s Corrections budget by facilitating the early release of thousands of so-called “non-violent” criminals from state prisons. Garrick noted that criminals convicted of a host of troubling crimes would qualify as “non-violent” criminals eligible for early release under the Democrat plan, including such crimes as human trafficking, stalking, solicitation to commit murder, identity theft and elder abuse.
Garrick also expressed grave concern about a plan to grant summary parole to thousands of felons. They would be set free without being supervised by law enforcement. Law enforcement would have no idea where they were living, or whether they were violating the terms of their parole, such as owning a deadly weapon or abusing illegal drugs.
He argued that SB 18xxx was a dangerous and irresponsible measure that puts the rights of prisoners above the rights of law-abiding citizens. Instead of granting early release or summary parole, Garrick said that there are less dangerous ways to save money in our prisons, such as reducing bureaucracy and soaring inmate health care costs. For example, health care costs have jumped 325 percent since 1997, even though there are fewer inmates today.
“As an Assemblyman, my first priority is the safety of our community. It is unconscionable that some of my colleagues would vote to open up our communities to a whole host of convicted criminals. To make matters worse, there was no effort taken to address the soaring costs of inmate health care and prison bureaucracy,” added Garrick.
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