Author Archives for Ben Cheeks

DA’s office briefed on El Cajon police shooting

October 4, 2016 5:45 pm Published by Comments Off on DA’s office briefed on El Cajon police shooting

El Cajon police officials briefed county prosecutors and the FBI Tuesday on the status of their investigation into the fatal shooting of 38-year-old Alfred Olango by one of their officers.

The briefing included reviews of all the evidence, witness statements and video collected so far.

“It generally...


Woman’s body found in water near Liberty Station

October 4, 2016 5:30 pm Published by Comments Off on Woman’s body found in water near Liberty Station

A woman’s body was found in a waterway near Liberty Station Tuesday afternoon, San Diego police said.

Someone spotted the corpse floating in the water along Liberty Station NTC Park near Farragut Road, police Officer Dino Delimitros said. Police received a call about 4:30 p.m. 

There were no immediate...


3,100 pounds of marijuana found hidden among cucumbers on big rig

October 4, 2016 4:20 pm Published by Comments Off on 3,100 pounds of marijuana found hidden among cucumbers on big rig

Customs and Border Protection officers found nearly 3,100 pounds of marijuana hidden among a shipment of cucumbers at an Otay Mesa port of entry Saturday morning, authorities said Tuesday.

A big rig carrying the cargo pulled into the commercial port of entry about 10:30 a.m., CBP officials said....


Escondido police shooting lawsuit dismissed

October 4, 2016 3:05 pm Published by Comments Off on Escondido police shooting lawsuit dismissed

A federal judge has dismissed a civil rights lawsuit filed against the city of Escondido by the parents of a man fatally shot by two police officers in 2013.

The lawsuit alleged that police officers Marcos Fuentes and Patrick Hand used excessive and unreasonable force when they shot Pedro Campos,...


Arsonist sentenced to nine years

October 4, 2016 2:05 pm Published by Comments Off on Arsonist sentenced to nine years

A Poway man convicted in August of setting a series of small arson fires alongside semi-rural roads after gambling at local casinos has been sentenced to nine years and four months in prison.

Jonathan Cohen, 45, who investigators believe has been setting wildfires in San Diego’s backcountry for...


Construction worker walks in on armed burglar

October 3, 2016 11:50 pm Published by Comments Off on Construction worker walks in on armed burglar

A construction worker renovating a home in Escondido walked in on an armed intruder Monday morning, police said. 

The worker returned from a lunch break and found a masked burglar in the hallway of the home on Mockingbird Circle, west of Canyon Road, Escondido police Lt. Kevin Toth said. 

Confronted...


Lyft driver killed in crash was father, aspiring dentist

October 3, 2016 11:00 pm Published by Comments Off on Lyft driver killed in crash was father, aspiring dentist

A Lyft driver who was struck and killed over the weekend on a freeway shoulder near downtown San Diego was an aspiring dentist who left behind a 2-year-old son.

Henry O. Reyes, 41, pulled over along state Route 94 early Saturday to help a passenger who started vomiting, authorities said. Reyes was...


Lyft driver killed in crash was father, aspiring dentist

October 3, 2016 11:00 pm Published by Comments Off on Lyft driver killed in crash was father, aspiring dentist

A Lyft driver who was struck and killed over the weekend on a freeway shoulder near downtown San Diego was an aspiring dentist who left behind a 2-year-old son. Henry O. Reyes, 41, pulled over along state Route 94 early Saturday to help a passenger who started vomiting, authorities said. Reyes was...


Protests smaller but still present after El Cajon shooting

October 3, 2016 9:05 pm Published by Comments Off on Protests smaller but still present after El Cajon shooting

The small group of people who had gathered in a parking lot midday Monday, at the spot where Alfred Olango was fatally shot by an El Cajon police officer last week, said they were determined to keep the protests going but wanted to keep them peaceful.

“We’re not out here for no negative stuff,”...


Victim in Otay Mesa fatal shooting identified

October 3, 2016 4:40 pm Published by Comments Off on Victim in Otay Mesa fatal shooting identified

A man fatally shot on a street in Otay Mesa early Saturday has been identified as 48-year-old Miguel Angel Villalobos, a homicide lieutenant said. 

Villalobos, who grew up in National City, lived in Imperial Beach with his family, San Diego police homicide Lt. Manny Del Toro said. 

Investigators...