Two victims were tied up and forced into a bathroom at gunpoint during a home invasion robbery in Hillcrest Thursday, police confirmed.
At about 2:30 p.m., police say an unknown male suspect forced his way into a home in the 1600 block of Brookes Avenue by pointing a handgun at a male victim and ordering him into the bedroom.
Once inside, the suspect allegedly tied up the man and a woman who was also inside the home and forced them into the bathroom.
Police say the suspect then stole the woman’s purse, the man’s cell phone and some other electronics from the home before fleeing the scene.
The woman was not injured and the man sustained a small cut on his forehead, according to authorities.
Police describe the suspect as a black male between 20 and 25 years old. He’s 5-foot-8 with a thin build and was wearing a black shirt, black pants and a black skull mask during the home invasion.
The investigation is ongoing.
There’s a battle brewing over stop signs in a San Diego neighborhood.
Taldmadge residents had a rude awakening this week when two new stop signs backed up traffic during the morning commute, blocking driveways and causing delays.
The signs were placed on Aldine Drive at 47th Street, an area known to be popular shortcut for commuters.
One group of neighbors say the signs are needed for road safety, while others said the signs are backing up traffic.
It all started when a group of residents decided to document the number of accidents at the intersection of Aldine and Monroe. They said there were more than 30 accidents at that intersection in five years.
The street has seen a 300 percent increase in the amount of traffic, and many drivers often travel faster than the recommended speed limit.
Elvia Sandoval reported the incident to the city and said the speeding is “out of control.”
The city tried speed signs and using speed stripes so people would slow down. But city officials said ultimately the stop signs were the best option.
“It’s a safety issue,” said Talmadge resident Yvette Green. “People [are] upset because the commute is 5 minutes longer.”
But some residents disagree.
“A stop sign is not the answer,” said driver Ann Burnett-Troisi. “[It’s] made a nightmare for commuting.”
Both sides agree that traffic needs to divert back to El Cajon Boulevard instead of side streets.
“The real focus needs to be reduce traffic and speeds out of that area,” said drive Kelly Waggonner.
But for now, the stop signs will remain.
View New Stop Signs in a larger map
Witnesses ran after a hit-and-run driver moments after the collision with a family’s minivan in National City.
National City police officers were called to East 8th Street and Euclid Avenue around 9:30 p.m. Thursday.
A minivan traveling westbound on 8th Street was struck by a truck. When the truck driver appeared to drive away, witnesses decided to get involved.
“We saw the truck go straight and hit the van,” one passerby told NBC 7 San Diego. “After that I think he tried to run away and we had to run after him.”
The truck traveled another block before stopping.
Officers arrested the driver of the truck. The unidentified man was taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence police said.
A 19-year-old female sailor assigned to USS Essex aircraft carrier was found with a gunshot wound aboard the ship Thursday and later died from her injuries, Navy officials confirmed.
According to Navy media operations officer Rick Chernitzer, the ship’s medical personnel responded to the scene and found the wounded sailor.
She was transported to the University of California, San Diego Trauma Center and was pronounced dead a short time later.
Chernitzer said the sailor’s identification is being withheld until her family is notified of her death.
He said a formal investigation is now underway aboard the amphibious assault ship, which is currently at its homeport in San Diego.
It is unclear if the sailor’s wounds were self-inflicted or if any suspects were involved in the shooting.
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The commander of one of the world's biggest aircraft carriers dismissed the idea that the U.S. military should phase out its carriers because they’re too costly and irrelevant.
The non-partisan "Center for a New American Security" recently published a piece that has brought new energy to a debate that had existed for decades.
In the article, Capt. Henry J. Hendrix, USN (Ph.D.) outlined his thoughts about replacing carriers the writing, “After 100 years, the carrier is rapidly approaching the end of its useful strategic life.”
Not so, said Capt. Thom Burke, Commanding Officer of the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan.
“Those kinds of comments are going to come and go but the carrier continues to prove its effectiveness,” Capt. Burke said.
USS Ronald Reagan returned to its homeport Thursday with several thousand crew members.
“Getting a big ship this in, there’s just nothing fast about it,” Capt. Burke said.
The carrier spent 14 months in Washington where it was overhauled. The ship, now with a clean hull and refurbished rudders, is only 10 years into its 50-year lifespan.
Its commander said the argument that aircraft carriers are “irrelevant” is an old debate.
In fact, Capt. Hendrix made a similar argument four years ago in a piece he entitled: "Buy Fords, Not Ferraris."
He discussed "The Carrier Dilemma" again two years ago.
According to Capt. Burke, the aircraft carrier and its strike group are in the top tier of U.S. military assets that are always ready on call.
“When the president wants a mobile platform that can take sovereign territory anywhere in the world almost, he’s often asking for an aircraft carrier,” Capt. Burke said.
The carrier will be in San Diego for about a month completing some maintenance. Then, Capt. Burke said the plan is to get USS Ronald Reagan out to sea in May.
With government budget cuts like sequestration the carrier’s scheduled deployment of early 2014 could change.
A helicopter from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department circled a neighborhood in San Marcos Friday morning, alerting residents to be on the lookout for a car burglary suspect.
Deputies were in the area of Iron Horse Drive and Mendocino Drive beginning at 7:30 a.m. looking for a suspect and an older-model silver Pathfinder.
Officials said the suspect was believed to be on foot somewhere in the area.
Residents were not asked to evacuate their homes deputies said. They also did not say whether the suspect was believed to be armed.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
These skinny jeans truly leave nothing to the imagination. Good thing they're fake.
American Eagle Outfitters' new YouTube ad purporting to sell spray-on jeans has gone viral much to the delight of the company's marketing department.
"We wanted to have fun with our fans," Vice President of Brand Marketing Bob Holobinko said on the Today show. "And the response has been incredible."
At first glance, it looks like any other American Eagle Outfitters ad, replete with cool-looking young adults doing cool things and wearing the retailer's latest creation: Skinny Skinny jeans.
But about 17 seconds into the video, viewers will notice that something is amok. The Skinny Skinny jeans are actually spray painted on and the actors are wearing no pants at all.
The YouTube video has been viewed almost 350,000 times, as of Friday morning. This faux ad comes a week after Pepsi launched a video that shows NASCAR star Jeff Gordon pranking a hapless car salesman. The salesman was reportedly in on the joke, but the video's popularity underscored the power of viral ads and its ability to promote brand awareness and get people talking.
"This is phenomenal," marketing consultant Peter Shankman said of American Eagle on the Today show. "A great way to bust out from the mainstream and people are talking about it."
The link in the video description takes viewers to AEO's online store, which purports to sell the spray-on jeans in Indigo and Bright Light.
But to be clear, the paint is not for sale, Holobinko said. Visitors who try to purchase the paint will get a message that says they're out of stock and a prompt that asks for shoppers' email addresses.
It isn't a total loss for those who were seeking a bigger pay-off to the fake ad.
"There will be an offer that the customer will receive throughout the campaign when we capture their email at the end," he said.
Holobinko also hinted that there will be more ads to come. The second ad is slated to appear next week.
"We think of it is as a journey," he said. "So this is the first installment."
A 12-year-old boy from Santa Rosa is hoping his personal story will help the U.S. Supreme Court decide to overturn California's ban on same sex marriage, Prop. 8.
Daniel Leffew had a difficult beginning in foster care but was adopted by two dads when he was five.
"My foster mom always told me I was not adoptable because of my medical condition. When my dads adopted me I realized everything she said was a lie," Daniel said.
Daniel suffers from Goldenhar Syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the left side of his body.
Jay and Bryan Leffew adopted 5-year-old Daniel and his 1-year-old sister Salina seven years ago and the family shares many everyday moments on a YouTube channel.
With the Prop. 8 hearings approaching, the family learned Chief Justice John Roberts also has two adopted children. Daniel decided to write him a letter to show the court his family is a lot like Roberts'.
He read the letter to his YouTube fans before sending it off saying: "You and I know family goes deeper then blood. I was lucky to be adopted by two guys I can call dad."
The Leffew dads are proud of Daniel for making his case and Daniel is hoping it will make a difference.
"When he reads the letter I want him to see our family is a lot like his," he said.
The Leffews will be monitoring the arguments at U.S. Supreme Court closely.
Dear Justice Roberts,
My name is Daniel Martinez-Leffew. I'm 12 years old and I live in northern California. I have a younger sister named Salina, and we were adopted by two dads. We were adopted when I was five and my sister was about twelve months old.
When I was in foster care I was told that I was considered unadoptable because of my Goldenhar syndrome. That is a genetic disorder that affects the whole left side of my body.
I lost my little brother Emilio because some people wanted to adopt him, but they weren't willing to adopt me because of my medical conditions. Lucky for me, that's when my two dads came along.
I recently found out that you yourself adopted two kids, a boy and a girl, kind of like me and my sister.
Family means a lot of different things to a lot of different people, but some people believe that you have to have the same blood to be a family. You and I both know that family goes deeper than blood.
I was lucky to be adopted by two guys I can both call dad. They give me and my sister so much love. My dad Jay works in San Francisco as a deputy sheriff, and my dad Bryan stays at home and takes care of me and my sister.
My dads really encourage me to excel in life. Since I want to be a cook when I grow up, they're letting me take cooking classes. My parents want me to improve, whether it's schoolwork, or my social life.
I know you have a tough decision to make with the gay marriage issue, but my family is just as valuable and worthwhile as any other.
It's especially tough for you because I know you don't necessarily believe in gay marriage religiously. Lucky for us, though, you also don't believe in taking away a right, even from people like us.
My family and I have spent the last four years making YouTube videos to show people who don't understand that our family is like any other. If Prop 8 is allowed to stand, imagine the pain we would feel knowing that we are not considered equal to everyone else.
I guess to end this, it is important that all families are protected and valued. In our country we may not all be the same, but we are all Americans and deserve an equal chance at bettering our lives.
I hope you make the right decision in the end.
Sincerely,
Daniel
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The Chargers added another offensive lineman on Thursday. Rich Ohrnberger signed a 1-year contract.
Special Section: San Diego Chargers
Ohrnberger was a 4th-round pick of the Patriots in 2009. He played in just five games his first two seasons, seeing time at right guard and on special teams.
He missed all of 2011 with a head injury, was released and caught on with the Cardinals, where he played in 13 games on the line that gave up an NFL-worst 58 sacks last year.
Ohrnberger hurt his knee in December and missed the rest of the season.
During his senior year at Penn State, the 6'2", 300-pound Ohrnberger was a third-team All-America selection, so there is potential there. With the way the Chargers line has been decimated by injuries and defections, the new guy might have a chance to earn a starting spot.
Of the six unrestricted free agents the Chargers have brought in from other teams, three are offensive linemen.
As a San Diego County sheriff’s detective lay critically injured, he said the man accused of shooting him got on the floor next to him and told him, “Let’s go together.”
Detective Ali Perez described the moment he thought Dan Witczak was going to kill him and then commit suicide in Thursday’s preliminary hearing for the Lakeside shooting suspect.
Witczak changed his mind and got up from the floor Perez continued. The revealing testimony was part of the pre-trial hearing for the man facing attempted murder and child molestation charges in connection with the shootout at a Lakeside apartment complex on Sept. 25.
Dan Witczak sat in a wheelchair wearing jail attire and a bizarre haircut where only a small patch of hair was left on his mostly-shaven head. The scar left from a recent jailhouse attack was visible across his face.
He’s accused of seriously injuring Perez and Sgt. Craig Johnson in a shootout at the Maplewood Apartments. The law enforcement officers were shot when they went to confront Witczak about an allegation of child porn possession.
Johnson was shot twice -- in the side and arm.
Read: Deputies Recount Lakeside Shooting
Perez sustained several critical injuries from the shootout, including wounds to the stomach, shoulder and vital arteries in his arm.
He testified the defendant twice tried to open the door to let him out, but was driven back by gun fire.
The amazing testimony from Perez was dominated with religious overtones. At one point, Perez recalled seeing a vision after he came to terms with the idea that he may not survive his injuries.
"A miracle happened, while I was sitting, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared between me and the defendant. He wrote a note and it floated like a leaf toward me. The note said ‘I want you to bless him’ and I said 'God bless you brother,’” Perez testified.
Watch: Perez Recalls Seeing Vision of Christ
Witczak's ex-girlfriend, Stephanie Tomlinson, also testified Thursday. Her voice shook as she described what she allegedly found on Witczak’s phone.
She was getting her two daughters ready for school the morning of the shooting when she found pornographic pictures and video on Witczak's cell phone she testified.
During her testimony, Witczak sat with his hand to one side of his face and his jaw clenching together.
Witczak had initially refused to enter the courtroom voluntarily.
Officialsrecently found a small razor blade and a piece of metal from the ceiling in his cell. As a result, bailiffs restrained the defendant to the floor and table.
Witczak (seen right at an earlier court appearance) was also wounded in the Sept. 25 gunfight and was arraigned in his hospital bed at Scripps Mercy Hospital.
He has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempted murder on a peace officer and/or firefighter and eight counts of child molestation.
The judge ruled there was enough evidence to hold Witczak over for trial.
A French man impersonating a pilot was arrested at Philadelphia International Airport on Wednesday night after boarding a US Airways flight scheduled to fly to West Palm Beach, Fla.
Philippe Jernnard, 61, talked his way into a cockpit, saying he wanted to sit in one of its jump seats, according to the FBI. He told the captain and first officer that he was a pilot with Air France and knew how to fly 747, but they grew suspicious when he couldn't figure out how to open the jump seat.
He was arrested and and charged with criminal trespass, tampering with records, impersonating a person privately employed and presenting a false ID to law enforcement.
NBC10's Rosemary Connors talked with airport police Capt. Michael Murphy who says that Jernnard was wearing an Air France shirt, had an Air France bag and presented a ticket to the gate agent and walked onto the plane.
The gate agent told authorities that Jernnard had asked if there was any room in first class and was told "no."
According to the arrest report, Jernnard became irate after being told "no" and told her that he hated Americans and began to argue with her.
When the gate agent finished boarding the flight and went to close the plane's doors for takeoff, the arrest report states that she saw Jernnard sitting in the jump seat behind the captain's seat and his carry-on bag was stowed in the cockpit.
“She just assumes he takes his seat in coach and when she goes in to inform co-captain of the number of passengers on the flight that’s when she kind of recognizes he’s out of place,” said Philadelphia Police Lt. John Walker.
According to that arrest report, the agent told Jernnard that he couldn't sit there unless he filled out paperwork and the captain told him to return to his assigned seat.
Police say Jernnard started arguing and that's when they notified authorities.
After Jernnard was taken off the plane, police found an Air France ID card that had been changed to match his name.
He was set to be charged federally Friday morning.
In a statement released to NBC News, Air France denied that one of its employees attempted to board the flight and that Jernnard had a certified crew badge.
"This person was not wearing an Air France uniform, badge (Crew Member Certificate) or carrying an Air France crew baggage, the statement said. " Regarding the badge, it was a very poor fake badge, which in no way resembled the Air France Crew Member Certificate (CMC)."
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A 19-year-old female sailor assigned to USS Essex was found with a gunshot wound aboard the ship Thursday and later died from her injuries, Navy officials confirmed.
According to Navy media operations officer Rick Chernitzer, the ship’s medical personnel responded to the scene and found the wounded sailor.
She was transported to the UCSD Trauma Center and was pronounced dead a short time later.
Chernitzer said the sailor’s identification is being withheld until her family is notified of her death.
He said a formal investigation is now underway aboard the amphibious assault ship, which is currently at its homeport in San Diego.
It is unclear if the sailor’s wounds were self-inflicted or if any suspects were involved in the shooting.
More Local Stories:
Deliberations resumed Thursday on the remaining deadlocked counts in the Bell corruption trial amid the revelation that at least one of the jurors is second guessing the initial guilty verdicts handed down Wednesday.
"I have been debating in my own mind that due to the pressure and stress of the deliberation process, the jury may have given an improper verdict of guilty on the Solid Waste Authority," wrote a juror who wished to remain anonymous in a letter to Superior Court Judge Kathleen Kennedy.
On Wednesday, five of the defendants were found guilty on multiple counts of misappropriation of public funds in relation to the council's dealings with the Solid Waste and Recycling Authority. They were found not guilty of misappropriation for pay received from the Public Finance Authority.
One of the so-called "Bell 6," Luis Artiga, was acquitted on all charges.
The anonymous juror's note (embedded below) is now casting doubt on the guilty verdicts.
"It is better to be certain beyond a reasonable doubt to give a verdict of guilty than send someone innocent to prosecution," wrote the juror.
Kennedy would not let lawyers pursue the ramifications of the note on Thursday, but it could be grounds to request a new trial in the future.
"This is the second note that we've gotten indicating that there is some doubt by jurors," said former Bell Mayor Oscar Hernandez's attorney Stanley Friedman, referencing a note sent to the judge Wednesday from juror No. 7 raising the possibility of juror misconduct in the view of several of the defense attorneys.
"So now we have two out of 12 indicating that they have some doubt about how they voted. … That is evidence of a compromised verdict, which is not legal. Where somebody says, 'You vote my way on this, and I'll vote your way on this,'" Friedman said.
Related: Bell Activists "Relieved" After Multiple Guilty Verdicts | Criminal Complaint Against "Bell 6"
A San Diego-area military base was closed for about an hour Friday and one Navy doctor posted a possible reason on social media - someone was allegedly impersonating a two-star general.
The public affairs officer for Navy Region Southwest confirmed that Naval Base San Diego was shut down just after 11 a.m.
The spokesperson did not have information on what caused the closure however Andy Baldwin
By noon, the base was open and back to business as usual.
Lieutenant Commander Andy Baldwin, U.S. Navy physician, posted a message via Twitter, “ALERT: Naval Base San Diego is secured due to someone on base impersonating a 2 Star General. We are stuck on the ship until further notice.”
However, there was not an actual “shelter in place” order in effect according to the PAO.
Spring officially starts this weekend, so why not celebrate by spending it outside?
Here’s what to do in America’s Finest City this weekend:
Friday, March 22
Bankers Hill Art & Craft Beer Festival
5 p.m. at 2825 Fifth Ave.
One of San Diego’s prettiest neighborhoods is inviting you to try its local businesses. Check out local art while sipping on suds. Tickets cost $20.
Wine and Chocolate Tasting
6:30 p.m. at 1055 2nd Ave.
Sample some flavors of spring at The Westgate Hotel this Friday. Montesquieu Wines are paired with artisanal truffles from Dallmann Chocolates. Tickets are $45.
Saturday, March 23
Fight for Air Climb
9 a.m. at 600 W. Broadway
The Fight for Air Climb is a unique experience where individuals, teams, Firefighters and members of the community will climb 657 stairs and to the 32 floor to raise awareness for those with a lung disease, such as asthma, COPD, emphysema, and lung cancer.
Diva Dash
9 a.m. at 1100 West Mission Bay Dr.
This women’s only 5K has a variety of obstacle courses to test your strength. Registration is $75 and includes a T-shirt, timing chip and after party.
South Park Walkabout
6-10 p.m. in South Park
Get some great deals while experiencing some of this charming neighborhood's businesses. Restaurants and stores will have special discounts, plus there is live music and many locations. Event is free to attend.
Beauty and the Beast
2 p.m. at 1800 Village Place
The San Diego Civic Youth Ballet performs the original production of Beauty and The Beast at the historic Casa del Prado Theatre. Tickets start at $10.
Sunday, March 24
Seaport Village Busker Festival
noon to 5 p.m. at Seaport Village
This free event next to San Diego Bay will have some of the best street performers in the world. See stilt walkers, unicyclists and contortionists Saturday at Sunday.
Rolando Street Fair
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 4840 Rolando Blvd.
More than 100 vendors will gather at the 17th annual Rolando Street Fair. The event is free and is perfect for the family as it features a Kid’s Corner with rides and activities.
Hot Chocolate 5K & 15K
6:30-10:30 a.m. at 13th St. and J St.
Runners who enjoy a sweet treat after working out will enjoy this course. After the 5K and 15K participants will receive chocolate from Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. Cost is $48 for the 5K and $68 for the 15K.
What are you doing this weekend? Tell us in the comments below.
Would you turn in a fellow motorist for driving on California roadways without a Golden State license plate?
The California Highway Patrol is asking drivers to be their eyes on the road to nab "registration scofflaws."
California loses millions of dollars in tax revenue from residents whose cars, trucks or motorcycles are registered in other states or countries, according to the CHP.
Drivers who don’t register their cars in state may do so to avoid California’s high taxes, because they’re unable to comply with the state’s emissions laws or because they’re simply unaware that they have to, the agency said.
But the campaign sends a message that it doesn’t matter the reason: the CHP wants to convert those plates.
Anonymous tips generated by CHEATERS (Californians Help Eliminate All The Evasive Registration Scofflaws) brought in $757,000 to the state in 2011, the most recent year for which data is available.
Since its creation in 2004, CHEATERS has generated about $5 million in revenue for California.
If drivers see an out-of-state plate traveling on a California road, CHP wants them to fill out this online form.
It calls for the make, model, color and license plate number of the car, where it was seen and any identifying details such as bumper stickers or license plate frames.
If there’s enough information to prove the car’s owner is a California resident, they’ll be sent a letter telling them they have to register their car in state.
A select few drivers are exempt from registering their cars in California:
Drivers who do not meet those criteria have 20 days from the time they become a resident or get a job in state to re-register their vehicles.
Being registered to vote in California and paying in-state tuition at a university are among the ways to establish residency.
The cost to register a car in California is great than in most other states. To calculate how much it would cost to register your car in the Golden State, click here for the DMV’s fee calculator.
NBC4's Kim Baldonado contributed to this report.
The board of the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System boosted the benefits of Chief Executive Officer Paul Jablonski by $12,445.45, according to the agenda documents and two attendees of the meeting.
The benefit bump brings the executive's total compensation to about $421,445.
The item passed unanimously Thursday on the consent calendar during open session, and no one questioned it, the agency's spokesman confirmed.
Last year, Jablonski received a $20,000 increase in pay during closed session, according to the UT San Diego Watchdog. However, after the raise was brought to light, he declined it.
Jablonski could not be reached for comment.
Back-up material in the board documents explained the rationale behind the increased benefit:
"Under Mr. Jablonski's guidance, MTS continues to be one of the most cost-effective transit agencies in the nation."
The benefit approved Thursday allowed for Jablonski to accrue up to 80 hours of compensatory time in 2013 at a budget cost of $12,445.45.
He is currently allowed 41 paid days off. With the new comp time, that's the equivalent of about 10 and a half weeks off per year.
MTS's spokesman Rob Schupp said the benefit is to compensate Jablonski for the time he works on the weekend.
"Paul loves his job and he's always here," Schupp said. He added that Jablonski spends many weekends flying to Washington D.C., attending trade conferences and traveling on behalf of the agency.
"This benefit is in recognition that he represents not only MTS, but the industry as a whole," Schupp said.
MTS runs San Diego's bus and trolley systems.
The La Jolla Post Office will soon be moved the U.S. Postal Service announced Friday.
The day of the move and the new destination have yet to be determined.
Residents who were upset about the proposed move from 1140 Wall Street banded together a year ago and launched a “Save The La Jolla Post Office” campaign asking for contributions and letters to public officials.
La Jolla residents collected hundreds of signatures and submitted them for review.
In January, the site was added to the list of the National Register of Historic Places. However, the building has not been added to the list of local historic sites according to the La Jolla Light.
Such listings are important for those in the community who want to preserve the 78-year-old building and a mural inside the post office the paper reported.
Earlier this month, Newly-elected U.S. Rep. Scott Peters along with U.S. Rep. Susan Davis introduced a bill proposing that La Jolla residents be allowed to purchase the property.
The U.S. Postal Service has said the existing La Jolla Main Post Office uses a fraction of the space in the building. The relocation to a smaller building would raise some much-needed capital for the cash-strapped USPS.
Heath Fox, Executive Director of the La Jolla Historical Society isn't giving up. Locals have 15 days to appeal the decision and Fox wants members of the community to contact their elected representatives here in San Diego and Washington, D.C.
“Let them know their feelings about the post office and keeping it operating here on Wall Street where it’s been since the post office was built in the 1930’s,” Fox said.
There will be no change in La Jolla Post Office Box numbers or ZIP Codes.
The USPS has reported net losses of over $25 billion in the past five years.
