EL CAJON, Calif. (CNS) - A man who set fire to a historic commercial structure in downtown La Mesa following a police brutality protest that devolved into rioting pleaded guilty Wednesday to arson and vandalism charges. Daniel Louis Sandoval, 44, of Campo, was arrested about six months after prosecutors say he ignited the May 31, 2020, blaze that destroyed the Randall Lamb and Associates Building on Palm Avenue. Criminal complaint: Local man entered Pelosi’s office during Jan. 6 Capitol riot The structure, which had been designated as historically significant by the La Mesa Historical Society ..read more

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - Authorities Friday released the name of the 22-year-old woman found shot to death near Sweetwater Summit Regional Park in Bonita. A patrol deputy found the body of Kimberly Gutierrez of La Mesa near a cul-de-sac at the end of Quarry Road about 3 a.m. Tuesday, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. North Park business owners told to tear down outdoor dining structures An autopsy determined that Gutierrez died of gunshot wounds, and her death was ruled a homicide, sheriff's Lt. Thomas Seiver said. Officials have not publicly identified any suspects in the case ..read more

EL CAJON, Calif. (CNS) - One of two men charged with setting fire to a Chase bank in La Mesa following last year's contentious protest outside the city's police headquarters pleaded guilty Thursday to arson and burglary charges. Ricky Bernard Cooper, 34, is set to be sentenced next month for the May 30, 2020, fire inside the Chase bank branch at 4791 Spring St. He also pleaded guilty to a burglary count in connection with looting stores at the La Mesa Springs Shopping Center. Second ex-Francis Parker School student sues over alleged teacher sex abuse Co-defendant Alexander King, 20, still face ..read more

LA MESA, Calif. (CNS) - A $10,000 reward was offered Tuesday for information in identifying the suspects responsible for the fatal shooting of a 22-year-old Navy man at his La Mesa apartment earlier this year. The family of Corneilius Donte Brown has offered $9,000, in addition to $1,000 from San Diego County Crime Stoppers, for information leading to an arrest in connection with his April 24 shooting death. ‘He was my everything’ Family left without answers in case of murdered Navy sailor Police say Brown was shot by one of two men who arrived at his front door just before 12:30 a.m. that d ..read more

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A 61-year-old man was behind bars Wednesday for allegedly driving while impaired and crashing an SUV into an adult day-care facility in La Mesa, killing a man inside the building. Daniel Joseph Corona of La Mesa was arrested late Tuesday evening in connection with the July 28 crash in the 7300 block of University Avenue. Retired Navy officer admits taking bribes in exchange for privileged information Corona was headed east about 5:30 that afternoon when his vehicle veered off the roadway, crossed a sidewalk and smashed into a commercial building housing Golden Life ADHC Cente ..read more

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A San Diego man convicted of bringing Molotov cocktails to last year's police brutality protest at La Mesa police headquarters was sentenced Friday to nearly three years in prison. Zachary Alexander Karas, 29, was found guilty of possession of an unregistered destructive device following a two-day jury trial in San Diego federal court in May. Palomar Health sued by citizens group over alleged open meeting law violation Court records indicate Karas, who was sentenced Friday to 33 months in custody, has filed an appeal of his conviction. Prosecutors alleged Karas brought two gl ..read more

LA MESA, Calif. - After nearly 60 years of family ownership, Grossmont Center has been sold to a real estate investment company which has set its sights set on redeveloping the property. This year, Federal Realty Investment Trust acquired a 60% controlling interest in the shopping center from San Diego's Cushman family at a value of $175 million, a company news release shows. The company won't have control over all of the spaces in the 925,000-square-foot facility until 2025, but they've called it "an unencumbered 'blank canvas' for redevelopment." New bodycam video released from deputy’s coll ..read more

EL CAJON, Calif. (CNS) - A former La Mesa police officer was ordered Wednesday to stand trial on a felony charge of filing a false police report in connection with the controversial arrest of a young man near the Grossmont trolley station last year. Matthew Dages is charged in connection with the May 27, 2020, arrest of Amaurie Johnson, which was captured on video and circulated over social media, sparking particular condemnation in the wake of the in-custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Dad accused of murdering children said he was ‘enlightened’ by conspiracy theories, complaint alle ..read more

LA MESA, Calif. - A man died Wednesday evening after police say a vehicle careened off University Avenue and crashed into a commercial building in La Mesa. The crash happened about 5:30 p.m. in the 7300 block of University Avenue, La Mesa police Lt. Katy Lynch said. At the time of the incident, an officer was driving eastbound when they saw the vehicle ahead of them leave the road and crash through the glass windows of the building, according to Lynch. 2nd suspect jailed in fatal Spring Valley shooting Officers believe the victim, identified as a 40-year-old man, was inside the building when t ..read more

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A San Diego man was convicted Tuesday of bringing Molotov cocktails to last year's police brutality protest at La Mesa police headquarters. Zachary Alexander Karas was found guilty of possession of an unregistered destructive device following a two-day jury trial in San Diego federal court. Australian Navy finds 2 dead whales while berthing in San Diego Prosecutors alleged Karas had two glass bottles containing gasoline and wicks while at the protest, which began May 30 and carried over into the morning of May 31. According to a prosecutor's trial brief, officers spotted Kara ..read more