Local News

December 3rd, 2009

Shooting Results in Death

The Escondido Police Department Crimes of Violence Unit is investigating a homicide near the intersection of Wilson Ave and Buchanan Street. On November 23rd, 2009, at approximately 8:45 p.m, the Escondido Police Dispatch received a call of a possible shooting victim in the area of 1400 Wilson Ave. Responding officers found a 23 year-old Hispanic male near the intersection of Wilson Avenue and Buchanan Street, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the abdomen. According to a nearby resident, they heard gunshots outside their home. When they peered outside, they discovered the victim lying near the sidewalk and immediately called Escondido Police. Officers arrived within two minutes of the call, in conjunction with Escondido Fire Paramedics. CPR was commenced, and the victim was rushed to Palomar Medical Center where he later died. At this time the victim’s name is being withheld pending the notification of his relatives.

The investigation is in the preliminary stages, and there is no suspect information to share at this time. Anyone that may have information regarding this homicide, is urged to contact Detective Don Tulimero at (760) 839-4776, or Crimestoppers at (888) 580-TIPS. San Diego Crimestoppers may pay a reward up to $1000 for information provided anonymously.

Woman Fatally Injured When Scooter Hits Tree

On 11-24-09 at about 5:28 PM, operators from the Escondido Police Department Communications Center received a 911 call reference an injury collision at the intersection of Auto Parkway and Don Lee Place. Officers from the Escondido Police Department arrived on scene at approximately 5:31 PM and made contact with the parties involved in the collision.

Based on physical evidence from the scene, driver statements and witness statements, it appears that a 40-year-old female, believed to be a San Marcos resident, was traveling northbound on Auto Parkway. As she approached the intersection of Auto Parkway and Don Lee Place, the scooter began drifting to the right and struck a vehicle that was stopped at a stop sign on westbound Don Lee Place. The scooter struck the front end of the second vehicle causing minor damage. The driver of the scooter lost control and ultimately struck a palm tree.

The driver sustained significant injuries and was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased. The occupants of the second vehicle were not injured. The identity of the deceased woman is being withheld at this time pending the notification of next of kin.

This collision is still under investigation and it is unknown if alcohol was a factor. Traffic Investigator Mike Nelson is the lead officer for this case. Anyone with information or who may have witnessed this collision is requested to contact Officer Nelson at 760-839-4407.

Felony Graffiti Vandal Arrested

On November 24, 2009, investigators from the Gang Investigations Unit of the Escondido Police Department arrested Isaiah Gastelum, a 19 year-old Escondido resident for six cases of felony vandalism and 146 cases of misdemeanor cases of vandalism. Gastelum is believed to be responsible for 150 incidents of graffiti vandalism throughout the city of Escondido, with an estimated damage total of over $50,000. The City of Escondido aggressively seeks restitution from all graffiti vandals for the cost of the graffiti cleanup.

The investigation was aided by the use of Graffiti Tracker, a computer based system that analyzes and archives acts of graffiti. Detectives use the system to identify and track the most prolific vandals in Escondido. Recently, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department contracted with Graffiti Tracker to use the system in nine of their contract cities. The use of Graffiti Tracker countywide will allow detectives to communicate better and identify similar acts of graffiti vandalism in neighboring cities.

The City of Escondido actively combats graffiti through a citywide Appearance and Compliance Team (ACT). The Police Department partners with City Code Enforcement, Public Works, and the City Attorney’s office, to eradicate graffiti in Escondido.

To report and remove graffiti in the City of Escondido, call the graffiti hotline at (760) 839-4OFF. To contact the graffiti investigations unit, call (760) 839-4738 or anonymous information can be left at (760) 743-TIPS (8477). Citizens are also reminded that a graffiti rewards program is also available. This program pays up to $1000 for information leading to the arrest of graffiti vandals within the City of Escondido. Information on the graffiti rewards program and other graffiti information can be accessed via the City of Escondido web site at http://www.ci.escondido.ca.us/graffiti/index.html.

Vallecitos Asks Customers to Conserve for Wholesalers’ Aqueduct Shutdown

From Dec. 7, 2009, through Dec. 16, 2009, the majority of aqueducts responsible for transporting water to our region will be temporarily shutdown by Vallecitos Water District wholesalers for repairs. Although the District will use alternate connections and storage to ensure service reliability, increased customer conservation efforts will be helpful in case the repairs take longer than expected.

To prepare for such annual or emergency events, Vallecitos has made it a priority to increase service reliability with the construction of additional storage and connections to a nearby reservoir and a new, local treatment facility. However, sometimes problems can occur when the aqueduct system returns on line, therefore any extra conservation efforts would be greatly appreciated.

These shutdowns, conducted annually by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA), are necessary for inspection purposes. The main purpose for this shutdown is to make an emergency repair that was recently located on an SDCWA pipe.

Vallecitos’ customer response to the mandatory conservation that has been in effect since July 2009 has been exceptional thus far. But any extra practices to increase savings for the length of the 10-day shutdown will go a long way toward maintaining the delivery system for the future and keeping an abundant supply on hand in the event of emergency. For more advice on how to increase savings, go to www.vwd.org or contact the Vallecitos Conservation office at (760) 744-0460.

Remember To Vote

All Oceanside registered voters are urged to remember to vote in the important recall election which will be held on Election Day, Tuesday, December 8th. The Oceanside City Clerk’s office is anxious that Oceanside voters participate in this recall election so it truly reflects the wishes of the electorate and not a small percentage who would otherwise select the choices for the city of Oceanside.

She urges you to get to your polling place on Election Day—Tuesday, December 8. If you have the time to vote at your polling place on Election Day, please review your sample ballot pamphlet for your polling place location for this election. Don’t assume it is where it was before. Some locations have changed by necessity.

Election Central will be in the Council Chambers and will be open at 8:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to join in and witness the culmination of the election process.

Teddy Bears for Christmas

The Escondido Police Department is encouraging people to make the holidays a little brighter for sick and injured children in San Diego County by donating a teddy bear to the San Diego Regional Teddy Bear Drive. The goal of this drive is to deliver more than 60,000 stuffed animals to patients at Rady Children’s Hospital on December 15, 2009.

New, unused teddy bears, with the tags still attached, are being accepted at 36 locations around San Diego County, including the Escondido Police Department located at 700 West Grand Avenue. So far they have collected over 20,000 teddy bears. Teddy bears can be dropped off at the front counter of the police department during business hours or at the front door after hours.

On December 15, 2009, at 8:45 AM, approximately 100 law enforcement vehicles, loaded with teddy bears will make their way to Rady Children’s Hospital to deliver the stuffed toys. This effort began in 1991 and involved one officer in one police car delivering the stuffed animals. The event now involves every police, sheriff, state and federal law enforcement agency in San Diego County.

In order to spread the joy of interacting with law enforcement officers, each month officers from a different agency will distribute the teddy bears to the children in the hospital. Please note that due to infection control among recipients, donated items must be new and unused with the purchase tag still attached.

Home Invasion Thieves Threaten Homeowner

Two thieves, one brandishing a knife, stole a television from a home Tuesday while a resident of the home was outside in the yard. As the two thieves left the house, they were carrying a 48” television set. They noticed the home resident witnessing their action and one of the thieves pulled a knife.

The Sheriff’s department reported that shortly after 9:30am Tuesday, in the 900 block of Osborne Street. The robbers are said to have left in a dark blue Suburban. At press time, deputies were still searching the area and interviewing the victim for more details.

Oceanside Sign Stealer Gets Slapped on the Wrist

In return for pleading guilty to a charge of receiving stolen property, the prosecutor dropped vandalism and petty theft charges. The man, Eric M. Lebo, an Oceanside carpenter, was charged with stealing Oceanside election campaign signs. He said he was sorry and pleaded guilty in Vista Superior Court on Monday to the reduced charges.

Judge Marshall Hockett placed Lebo, 35, on three years' probation, fined $451 and ordered to complete an anger management class by March 30. Lebo was arrested Wednesday after he was seen removing signs along Oceanside Boulevard that supported the recall of Oceanside City Councilman Jerry Kern and signs supporting the election of Charles "Chuck" Lowery as Kern's replacement.

The election is Dec. 8.

Lebo's lawyer, Deputy Public Defender William Matthews, told the judge "he thought they were eyesores more than anything else."

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