Bird Smuggling; Plane Crash; Human Trafficking: Encinitas, San Diego County Crime Log

ENCINITAS, CA — Here is a collection of this week's police, fire and courtroom stories from across San Diego County.

Stories near Encinitas and North County:

Ex-Govt. Employee Sentenced For Defrauding Department Of Veteran Affairs

Oceanside residents Rafael Castro and his wife Miriam Castro pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges earlier this year.

Condo Fire Forces Evacuation Of Carlsbad Residential Complex

There were no reports of injuries.

Man Sentenced To More Than 15 Years In Escondido Fentanyl Death

Danny Nunez, 25, pleaded guilty to federal charges earlier this year for his role in the 25-year-old victim's fatal overdose.

Man Fatally Shot In Oceanside

Officers found a man with a gunshot wound in an Oceanside canyon, police said.

Bicyclist Fatally Struck By Car In North County

The collision happened when a man was riding a bike across East Valley Parkway in Escondido, police said.

Other stories from across the county:

Victims Of Fatal Plane Crash Off Coast Of San Diego ID'd

All six were from the Gila Valley area of Arizona, it was reported.

San Diego Police Officer Convicted Of Domestic Battery Involving Ex-Girlfriend

Seth Tate, 33, was arrested in March 2024 and later charged in five separate incidents that allegedly occurred between Tate and the woman.

Parents Of 16-Year-Old Boy Fatally Shot By SDPD Officer Sues City

The boy was fatally shot by a San Diego police officer while the teen was running away from gunshots fired by another person.

Another Exotic Bird Smuggler Busted At San Diego Border

This is the third person who has tried to smuggle exotic birds through San Diego border crossings in the past several weeks.

Boat Carrying 5 Migrants Stopped Off Coast Of Point Loma

Authorities said all five individuals aboard the vessel claimed Mexican nationality.

Late-Morning Blaze Damages Clairemont Mesa Home

The blaze also damaged a shed behind a next-door residence, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

Search Suspended For Victims Of Plane Crash Off Coast Of Point Loma

"The decision to suspend a search is never an easy one," said Lt. Cmdr Justin Brooks, a search and rescue mission coordinator.

Authorities Serve Warrants In Human Trafficking Investigation

Most of the locations were short-term rentals connected to human trafficking and prostitution, according to the sheriff's office.

San Diego Man Sentenced For Sending Threatening Email To LGBTQ Victim

George Joseph Wellinger II, 49, messaged threats to the victim after she appeared in a TV news report regarding a 2023 hate-crime murder.

6 Killed In Plane Crash Off Coast Of Point Loma

The six occupants included the pilot, his wife, and a man with his three sons, according to a report from the Aviation Safety Network.

Driver Fatally Injured In Crash, Damages Parked Vehicles In Mount Hope

Police officials said the driver was ejected from his SUV and pronounced dead at the scene.

'Resourceful' Drug Smugglers Hide $700K Of Cocaine In Roof Compartment: Border Patrol

An I-15 Border Patrol stop led to the discovery of a hidden compartment and a copious amount of cocaine. Here's what happened.

Search Continues After Plane Crashes Off Coast Of Point Loma

Six people were aboard the twin-engine Cessna 414, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Plane With 6 People Aboard Crashes Off Coast Of Point Loma

Six people were on board the plane, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Protest Held At Camp Pendleton Over Possible Use Of Marines For Protesters

The protest follows President Donald Trump's decision to deploy the National Guard to Los Angeles.

San Diego-Based Group Calls Out Arrest, Detention Of Afghan Soldier

The man, whose name was unavailable, "had previously been granted asylum protections," the group said.