Arson Arrest; Drug Busts; Sextortion: La Mesa, SD County Crime Log

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

Stories near La Mesa and East County:

Driving Instructor Pleads Not Guilty To Molesting Young Students

At the time of the purported offenses, Richard Joseph Banks was an instructor with El Cajon-based American Driving School, police said.

SUV Crashes Into Santee Salon

A vehicle crashed into the Fantastic Sams on Mission Gorge.

Woman Arrested For Starting Fire At East County Apartment Complex

A woman who is believed to be homeless was arrested on suspicion of starting a fire at an apartment complex in unincorporated El Cajon.

Other stories from across the county:

Woman Killed In Collision In San Marcos

San Marcos Fire Department paramedics were contacted and pronounced the victim dead at the scene, authorities said.

2 Wounded In Stabbing Assault At Rolando-Area Home

A stabbing attack left two people wounded and led to a nearly five-hour police standoff that ended with a woman under arrest.

Suspect Arrested In Mission Valley Arson Case

A man already behind bars for an alleged parole violation was re-arrested on suspicion of torching a memorial for a bicyclist.

Woman Pleads Not Guilty In Carlsbad Crash That Killed Married Couple

Angela Marie Hays, 28, of Corona, faces up to 13 years and eight months in state prison if convicted of all charges.

Suspect Jailed In National City Stabbing Of Woman

Chris Alexander Hernandez, 20, was taken into custody following a six-hour police standoff, authorities said.

Pedestrian Fatally Struck By Truck In San Marcos

San Marcos Fire Department paramedics performed life-saving measures on the pedestrian, but he died before he could be taken to a hospital.

San Diego To Pay $6M To Family Of Victims In 'McSkillet' Crash

The city of San Diego has agreed to pay $6.125 million to the family of a mother and daughter killed in a 2018 wrong-way freeway crash.

Burglary Suspect Dies In San Diego Jail

A 24-year-old inmate died of unknown causes this week at San Diego Central Jail, authorities said.

Man Sentenced To Prison For Fatal National City Shooting

John Edward Sanchez Jr., 28, was arrested two days after the March 16, 2021, shooting of 31-year-old Raymond Reed.

2 Women Sentenced To Prison For Meth Distribution At San Diego Jails

The women sent meth to Southern California jails and prisons in concealed packages, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Family Sues Over 'Blackface' Suspension Of 8th Grader In San Diego

The boy was emulating his favorite athletes, but school officials saw it as blackface, according to the Center for American Liberty.

Sextortion Of Minors 'A Major Problem' In San Diego, FBI Warns

Sextortion cases have doubled over the past year in the San Diego area, the FBI reported. The majority of the cases target minors.

Fentanyl, Meth Found Hidden In Vehicle Undercarriages At CA Border

Packages of drugs were discovered attached to the undercarriage of vehicles in two separate incidents at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.

Water Utility Scam: Residents Warned To Look Out For Agency Imposters

Scams have been reported by several water agencies across the region in recent weeks, including in San Diego, East County and South County.

Actor Died From Self-Inflicted Gunshot In San Diego Home: Medical Examiner

Actor Alec Musser, known for his role on "All My Children," was found by his fiancée at the couple's home in Del Mar, authorities said.

Man Stabbed During Fight In Chula Vista

A man is in a hospital after he was stabbed during a fight outside an AM/PM convenience store and gas station in Chula Vista.

Gunshot At Emerald Hills Home Prompts Police Standoff

Streets were blocked off in the area for several hours and residents were advised to shelter in place.

Police Investigating Robbery In Otay Mesa West Neighborhood

A man walked into a San Diego 7-Eleven, pointed a knife at an employee, and demanded that the clerk open the cash register, police said.

4 Killed In Separate Train Collisions Within Days In San Diego County

The deadly train collisions happened in Carlsbad, Encinitas and San Diego.

Man Fatally Struck By Freight Train In Encinitas

The deadly collision happened near the intersection of Vulcan Avenue and D Street, authorities said.

2 Dead In Suspected DUI Freeway Crash In Carlsbad; Woman Arrested

A woman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after causing a deadly three-vehicle crash, authorities said.

Authorities Recover Navy Helicopter After Crash In San Diego Bay

All crew members survived the crash and have been released from the hospital.