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Former Chargers Ready for Rematch -- Well, Maybe

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For a combined 19 years, Quentin Jammer and Shaun Phillips were staples of the San Diego Chargers defense. Over that time you build some relationships with players, and even the media that asks you questions nearly constantly.

One year in Denver has apparently erased all of that.

Two days before the Broncos and Chargers meet in the AFC Divisional Playoffs, a strong San Diego media presence travelled to Denver's training facility to see how the former Bolts felt about playing their first playoff game for their new team against their old team.

Phillips was, predictably, rude. When I asked if he would mind answering a couple if questions the answer was a bellowing "No!"

Perhaps later?

"No!"

Thanks for your time, Shaun.

Jammer was more subdue with a "Nah." He then walked out without making eye contact.

Thank goodness for Louis Vasquez. The former Chargers offensive guard also joined the Broncos this year and earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl. He was cordial and thoughtful about meeting his former mates.

"You do get happy for guys you used to play with," said Vasquez about the Bolts advancing in the playoffs.

And as for Philip Rivers and the bolo tie phenomenon?

"He wears it well," said Vasquez chuckling. "Philip is a Southern boy so it suits him. If I see him before the game tomorrow I'll give him a little heckle about it."

Well, it's nice to know one of the old Chargers still cares about guys he played with.
 



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Target: Data Hack Hit Up to 110M

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The massive data breach that hit Target during the holiday shopping rush may have ensnarled up to 110 million of its customers and compromised more kinds of personal data than originally thought, the company disclosed Friday.

Target announced in December that payment data for roughly 40 million customers who used credit and debit cards in their stores between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15 was at risk. On Friday, it said an ongoing internal investigation into the hack found that the breach also included names, mailing addresses, phone numbers or email addresses for 70 million customers. Some of the personal information stolen was obtained by the store prior to the breach. A spokeswoman for the company told NBC News there could be some overlap between the two groups of data.

"I know that it is frustrating for our guests to learn that this information was taken and we are truly sorry they are having to endure this," Gregg Steinhafel, chairman, president and chief executive officer for Target said in a statement. "I also want our guests to know that understanding and sharing the facts related to this incident is important to me and the entire Target team."

Much of the customer data stolen in the breach, which occurred at stores throughout the United States, was "partial in nature," Target said. The company is offering one year of free credit monitoring and identify theft protection to "all guests who shopped at our U.S. stores."



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Construction Ready to Begin on Jamul Casino

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Construction is ready to begin on a proposed $360 million casino in Jamul.

The Hollywood Casino Jamul is projected to open in late 2015 on the Jamul Indian Village, about 20 miles east of downtown San Diego.

Developers say the facility will have 1,700 slot machines, 50 live table games, and multiple restaurants and bars. They expect to create 2,500 construction and permanent jobs in the area.

The chairman of the Jamul Indian Village of California says a group has been working on this for over a decade. They worked to make sure the facility had green aspects to it, including water and waste reclamation systems and also address fire protection measures.

The controversial casino already drew harsh words from San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Dianne Jacob.

She released the following statement earlier today: “The tribe must take us for fools if it thinks a Hollywood-style, Costco-sized casino would blend seamlessly into rural Jamul. The giant gaming complex might generate profits for the tribe and its developer, but at the expense of the community’s quality of life.”
 



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

SDG&E Employee Accused in Fatal Hit and Run

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A San Diego Gas & Electric employee driving a work utility truck was involved in a fatal hit and run crash in El Cajon earlier this week that left a man dead on the street and police looking for the driver.

On Friday, SDG&E officials confirmed their employee’s connection to the collision.

“This is a terrible tragedy and SDG&E is cooperating with authorities,” spokesperson Michelle Nixon told NBC 7 San Diego. “We've suspended the employee pending the outcome of the investigation."

SDG&E officials would not confirm the employee’s name, age or how long he’s been with the company, as the investigation is ongoing.

The deadly incident happened just after 10 p.m. Monday near the intersection of Main Street and the 200-block of Jamacha Road.

According to police, a man was crossing the roadway between intersections when he was struck by a truck traveling northbound. The truck immediately fled the scene, leaving the pedestrian lying in the middle of the street on Jamacha Road.

Shortly thereafter, a second car approached the area and ran over the victim again. Police said the occupants of that car remained on scene and waited for police to arrive, fully cooperating with the investigation.

Despite efforts to resuscitate the victim, officials pronounced his death at the scene.

El Cajon police have now identified the victim as Robert Fisher, 54. A report released earlier this week by the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s office said Fisher lived a transient lifestyle in El Cajon.

Following the accident, police immediately began searching for the hit and run driver. Authorities asked the public to be on the lookout for the suspect vehicle, described as a white 2008 to 2010 Ford F-350 to F-550 utility work truck with a decal or logo on the front door, equipped with a personnel bucket life or crane and a utility bed.

On Friday, the El Cajon Police Department confirmed that investigators have recovered the suspect vehicle in this hit and run: a white 2008 Ford 550 work truck owned by SDG&E/Sempra Energy.

Police said the driver of the SDG&E truck was not on duty at the time of the collision and that SDG&E is cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
 



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Woody Groped 2 in Times Sq.: NYPD

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A man has been arrested on forcible touching charges, accused of groping women in Times Square while dressed as a character from a popular children's movie.
 
Patrol officers in plainclothes observed 44-year-old Jose Vasquez, who was dressed as the famous animated cowboy Woody from "Toy Story," grabbing the buttocks of two women while they posed for a picture with him, according to police.
 
Vasquez was charged with two counts of forcible touching and sex abuse. It wasn't immediately clear if he had an attorney. 
 
The women did not file a complaint, police said. 
 
This is the second incident in less than a year in which a person in costume allegedly harassed a visitor in Times Square. Last April, a man dressed as Cookie Monster was arrested after he allegedly pushed a toddler, apparently angry that the child's mother didn't give him a tip.  
 
The costumed characters in Times Square are considered street performers protected by the First Amendment and are currently not regulated. 
 
The Times Square Alliance said in a statement Thursday: "This is the latest in a long series of disturbing incidents that reinforce our belief that these costume characters must be licensed and regulated. We are looking forward to working with the new administration and City Council to come up with an equitable and effective regulatory solution."

 



Photo Credit: Byron Smith/NBC 4 New York

Man Sentenced for Abducting Woman

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The Collin County, Texas, District Attorney's Office says a man is headed to prison for 60 years for kidnapping and beating a woman before carving his name into her leg.

Prosecutors said Joseph Julian Guerra, 28, brutally assaulted a woman working for him as a prostitute after she said someone robbed her of money he felt was owed to him.

According to the district attorney's office, police were called to Guerra's neighborhood in Allen on July 5, 2012, after the woman escaped his custody and sought help from a neighbor.

When police arrived they found the woman on a curb, naked from the waist down and bleeding from the face and legs after having been beaten and restrained with duct tape, the district attorney said.

After learning of the robbery, the district attorney said Guerra bound and attacked the woman for several hours.

"To teach the woman a lesson, Guerra bound her hands and feet with duct tape and wrapped the tape around her head multiple times and across her mouth. He then punched, kicked, and kneed her in the body and face. Guerra followed this by grabbing a skillet and striking the woman multiple times in the head, knocking out one of her front teeth," the district attorney's office said in a news release Friday. "Guerra also cut off the woman’s pants and threatened to use his knife to rape her. Instead, he took the knife and slashed her legs finally carving his nickname, 'ACE,' into the sides of both of her thighs."

According to the district attorney, Guerra told the woman he carved his name into her so that she would "always remember him."

Eventually, Guerra fell asleep and the woman was able to escape his home.  The woman ran to a neighbor who, frightened by her bloody appearance, refused to let her into their home but did call 911.

After finding the woman, police entered Guerra's home and found him sleeping soundly next to his 1-year-old daughter, the district attorney's office said.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Cynthia Walker and Brandon Wonnacott and they were assisted by District Attorney Investigator Dale Dowdy. The case was investigated by Allen Police Detective Tim Wasden. State District Judge Scott Becker presided over the case.



Photo Credit: Collin County District Attorney's Office

UPS Truck Rolls Onto Side on Freeway

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A UPS driver lost control of her work vehicle Saturday morning, causing the big, brown truck to roll onto its side on Interstate 15 in San Diego’s North County.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the accident happened around 9:20 a.m. in the fast lane on southbound I-15, south of West Bernardo Road.

CHP officials said the vehicle tipped over and landed on the driver’s side, blocking the traffic lane.

The UPS driver’s boss spoke with NBC 7 at the scene and said the truck blew a tire, causing the female driver to lose control of the vehicle. She was not injured in the crash, her boss said.

She was able to get out of the vehicle and into a tow truck following the crash. No other cars were involved and no one else was injured.

The accident caused some traffic congestion in the area as a tow truck crew worked to get the UPS vehicle upright again. Near the tipped truck, several spilled UPS parcels were strewn along the shoulder of the freeway (see photo below).

Get traffic updates here.



Photo Credit: Diana Guevara

Chargers Fans Invade Denver

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San Diego Chargers fans traveling to the playoffs game against the Broncos invaded Denver -- bringing their Bolts spirit with them. NBC 7's Artie Ojeda -- clad in a lucky Philip Rivers-inspired bolo tie -- reports from Denver.

Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Main Break Leaves OB Residents Without Water

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A water main break in Ocean Beach left some residents without water service Saturday.

According to Arian Collins, supervising public information officer for the City of San Diego Public Utilities Department, a 6-inch, cast iron water main broke around 5:30 a.m. near the intersection of Del Monte Avenue and Froude Street in OB.

At the onset of the break, water burst onto the street and could be seen running down the neighborhood.

The break left residents in the 4500-block of Del Monte Avenue and the 1700-block of Froude Street without water service. Crews are currently working to repair the break and water service is expected to be restored to residents by 2 p.m., Collins said.

Meanwhile, police said the repairs might take all day. Officers will be on scene directing traffic while crews work in the area. As of 7 a.m., there were no road closures in effect.
 



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Firefighter Charged With Peeping

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A 36-year-old Montebello, Calif., firefighter is facing charges after allegedly peeping on a teenage girl in Torrance while she showered and got dressed, NBC4 reported.

WATCH: Firefighter Arrested in Peeping Tom Case

Daniel Yessman is charged with two misdemeanor counts of peeping and two counts of child annoyance after he allegedly climbed over the fence of a home near the intersection of 189th and Van Ness Avenue and watched the victim twice through a window – one night in June when the 16-year-old was changing clothes, and again in October while the now 17-year-old showered.

In the October incident, the girl’s father noticed the suspect, and chased him down the street while neighbors called police.

READ: Citizen Helps Nap Fugitive Sex Offender

"Detectives found it very peculiar that the suspect would return to the same location on multiple occasions," Torrance Police Sgt. Robert Watt told the Daily Breeze.

Yessman is a firefighter in Montebello and lives in Gardena.

NBC4 reached out to Yessman via phone, who responded simply with “no comment.”

Yessman is scheduled to be arraigned in February. If convicted, he may have to register as a sex offender.

Alleged "Swiss Cheese Pervert"

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Philadelphia Police are searching for an alleged "swiss cheese pervert."

On Thursday, the Mayfair Town Watch posted a photo of the suspect on their Facebook page. According to the Town Watch, the man is driving around several neighborhoods and exposing himself to women while offering them money to “watch him put swiss cheese on his privates.”

The Town Watch describes the suspect as a heavy-set white male between the ages of 40 and 50. They also say he is driving a newer model silver sedan but has also been spotted in a black model sedan.

NBC10 contacted the Special Victim’s Unit who confirmed the Town Watch’s report. A spokesperson says they are currently investigating and looking for victims.

If you have any information on the suspect, please call the Special Victims Unit at 215-685-3251.

Also on NBC10.com:



Photo Credit: Mayfair Town Watch

Pet Store Begs Thief

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A suburban Chicago pet store is desperately searching for a missing baby sugar glider after they allege a customer stole one while a worker was changing the animal’s food.

Critters Pet Shop, Inc. in Elgin said they believe the baby was taken Friday and are concerned because it is not weaned and will die if it goes without its mother for too long.

“It’s just devastating because it can’t live without mom right now,” said employee Diana Reed. “They’re so helpless when they’re this small.”

Reed said the babies and their mother were in a pouch together in a cage when a worker left the cage unlocked while changing the food.

The store recently moved and did not have their surveillance cameras at the time of the incident. They are begging whoever took the animal to bring it back.

“Please bring it back so it can be with its mama and we will not press any charges,” the store posted on its Facebook page. “This is serious. It will die.”

The store says it tried to be “customer friendly” by allowing customers to get up close to the pets, but said it has never had an incident like this in 26 years.

“This person has no idea what they just did,” Reed said.

Anyone with information surrounding the missing animal is asked to call (630) 584-0200.
 



Photo Credit: Critters Pet Shop, Inc.

Young Veteran Suicides Rise in San Diego

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On Friday, the Department of Veteran Affairs released data showing the number of suicides by veterans ages 18-24 receiving some form of VA health care nearly doubled between 2009 and 2011.

NBC 7 spoke to Veteran Affairs employees in San Diego and found the county is seeing a similar trend.

“On our high-risk here in San Diego, we definitely see a rise in younger veterans,” said Suicide Prevention Coordinator Lindsay Gold. “We have a whole bunch of different risk factors, economy and people coming here. Especially here to San Diego, some people don't have family here.”

NBC 7 spoke to Jean and Howard Somers who were in Washington D.C. this week when top Veteran Affairs officials released the information. Their son, Daniel Somers, an Army National Guard veteran, killed himself last year leaving behind a suicide note about how the government abandoned him when he needed the most help.

Since then, they met with top VA, military and officials to try and get significant changes made.

“And this is Daniel's group. It's not a surprise and makes us work even harder and makes us more determined to see if we can make some change,” said Howard Somers.

The couple has made it their mission to continue the conversation about how the VA can improve their outreach programs and prevent military suicides. They believe there needs to be more accessibility, advocacy and accountability.

In San Diego, the VA Mission Valley Outpatient Clinic is working on ways to improve their program and reach out to veterans before it’s too late.

“We've increased our mental health providers, really try to get people sooner to treatment than long wait times,” Gold told NBC 7.

To contact the Veterans Crisis Hotline 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Missing Navy Pilot a Santee Native

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Family members and friends of a former Santee man who was piloting a Navy helicopter when it crashed off the Virginia coast are praying for a miracle.

Sean Snyder, 39, was one of five men on board an MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter that searches for sea mines, but Wednesday it crashed during a routine training exercise. Only two of the four sailors recovered and brought to a local hospital survived. Snyder is the only crew member unaccounted for.

Described as a decorated pilot who was proud and grateful to serve his country, Snyder is a husband and father of four kids. His parents live in Santee and flew out almost immediately to be with their family on the East Coast.

"Sean grew up here, went to school at Santana, we all did," said neighbor Cindy Esler. “It's really difficult because I'd heard Craig talk about his son and how he enjoyed the military and flying helicopters. I'm sure it's gotta be hard for him."

A father of three boys and one daughter, Sean moved his family to the East Coast several years back. More than 24 hours after the search was called off Thursday in part because of frigid ocean temperatures, reality is setting in.

"It's gotta be rough on Sean's kids too,” Esler said. “I know a couple of them are older so they realize what’s going on."

The Navy says it's not known why the 34-ton chopper crashed. The investigation is complicated by the necessity of conducting a salvage operation in the Atlantic to reclaim the wreckage.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

3 Killed, Many Injured in Suspected DUI Crash

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Three people were killed and several others were injured in a suspected DUI crash near Clairemont Friday night.

According to authorities, the deadly collision happened along northbound Interstate 805 at westbound State Route 52 at around 11:15 p.m.

California Highway Patrol officials said a 2000 Cadillac Escalade carrying six men – including a 25-year-old driver suspected of driving drunk – was likely speeding along I-805 while merging onto SR-52.

The SUV veered off the road and careened up an embankment, where the car plowed into a cement pillar and then rolled over multiple times, ultimately landing in traffic lanes.

From there, a chain reaction-style collision followed, with a silver Acura crashing into the SUV, CHP officials said. Moments later, another vehicle slammed into the Acura then traveled down the embankment across both directions of traffic on eastbound SR-52, eventually landing on the south side of the road. A third vehicle was also involved in the chain reaction collisions.

CHP officials said five of the occupants of the Escalade were not wearing their seatbelts and four of them were ejected from the vehicle. Two of the men ejected died at the scene.

Another occupant, who was wearing his seatbelt, was also pronounced dead at the scene, investigators confirmed.

The names of the victims have not yet been released. CHP officials said they are 23, 29 and 35 years old.

The other ejected passengers, a 23-year-old man and 25-year-old man, sustained serious injuries and were transported to local hospitals.

CHP officials said the driver of the Escalade was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol and was arrested on suspicion of DUI causing injury and death.

Two of the occupants inside the other cars involved in the chain reaction suffered minor injuries and were taken to local hospitals. The current status of all the hospitalized patients is unknown.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

CHP officials issued a SigAlert following the accident, shutting down I-805 at westbound SR-52 for hours as investigators worked to help the injures, collect evidence and clear the scene.


Father Works Against Gang Violence

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A San Diego father who lost his son to gang violence nearly two decades ago is continuing his mission to keep local youth from joining gangs.

About 19 years ago, Azim Khamisa’s son, 20-year-old Tariq Khamisa, was gunned down by a 14-year-old gang member in San Diego’s North Park community while working his job delivering pizzas in the area.

This week, the memories of losing his son so suddenly and violently came rushing back to Khamisa when he found out the same gang that killed his son was also allegedly involved in a sex trafficking ring busted by federal authorities in North Park.

At a news conference on Wednesday, federal officials announced they had arrested two dozen San Diego gang members as part of a year-long investigation into a cross-country sex trafficking ring that spans 46 cities across 23 states and involves dozens of female victims, many of them underage.

At least 60 victims are from San Diego, 11 of whom are minors.

Officials said these gang members – from the “BMS,” or Black Mob and Skanless groups – would allegedly act as pimps, luring the women into a life of prostitution by using rap videos posted on social media that promised the women a glamorous, lavish lifestyle.

Once they became prostitutes, the suspect would allegedly “brand” their recruits with tattoos of gang symbols, bar codes or even a pimp’s name, and exchange the women among themselves as needed.

For Khamisa, the news hits especially close to home.

“I was shocked [to hear this] – beyond shocked. I’m still shocked,” he told NBC 7.

Khamisa knows all too well what gangs are capable of. He said the gang member who killed his son was part of a small group that has clearly grown over time.

“It was a very petty gang, if anything,” he recalled. “It was 30 to 35 members and they were not organized.”

Since his son’s death, Khamisa has worked diligently to curb gang violence by preventing teenagers from joining street gangs through his organization, the Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF).

The foundation – which he created nine months after his son’s murder – aims to promote peace and prevent youth violence through education, mentoring and community service programs.

“We need to look at prevention. We need to look to make sure gangs are not effective in recruiting,” said Khamisa.

Working beside Khamisa in his ongoing mission is an unexpected partner: the grandfather of the 14-year-old gang member who killed Khamisa’s son.

Khamisa said their collaboration came out of a mutual mission to bring forth change.

“It came from that one choice – to forgive,” said Khamisa.

And, after all these years, the foundation’s goal remains clear and simple.

“Make sure other kids in our community don’t end up like my son, or in prison like his grandson,” said Khamisa. “That’s what we can do.”

“My son did not die in vain. Something good actually came as a result of this tragic event,” he added.

Today, the Tariq Khamisa Foundation spreads its message and prevention programs across four schools in San Diego County.

A study shows their work has had a big impact, as school disciplinary actions dropped from 83 to 26 percent, suspensions from 81 to 14 percent and violent behavior 46 to 7 percent. Recently, the San Diego Unified School District voted to use the program in all of its schools.
 



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Mega Millions Ticket Sold in San Diego Worth $900K

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A lottery ticket recently sold in San Diego County raked in hundreds of thousands of dollars in the latest Mega Millions drawing Friday night, game officials confirmed.

According to the California Lottery office, the lucky lotto ticket matched five of six winning Mega Millions numbers, missing only the Mega number 8.

Now, the winning ticket – which was purchased at a 7-Eleven store (pictured below) located at 2535 Otay Center Drive – is worth a whopping $901,026.

Per official lottery rules, the winner has 180 days from the date of the drawing to claim the prize.

This winning lottery ticket is the latest on a long list of lucky tickets recently sold in San Diego County, and it seems America’s Finest City is on a bit of a hot streak.

On Friday, two San Diego women came forward to claim a $2,621,916 prize earned through a winning lotto ticket they purchased together for the record-breaking Dec. 17, 2013 Mega Millions drawing.

The women purchased 20 tickets together for the drawing at Fuller Liquor and Deli on Rosecrans. The winning ticket – a Quick Pick that successfully matched five of six numbers, missing only the Mega number – made them each an instant millionaire in the new year.

In addition to those winners, last month’s record-breaking $648 million Mega Millions drawing yielded yet another lucky ticket in San Diego County. That ticket, also matching five of six numbers, was sold at Square Bottle Liquor at 21 Naples in Chula Vista and is also worth $2.6 million. The holder of that ticket, however, has yet to come forward to claim the prize.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

DA: Human Trafficking Prosecutions on Rise

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The number of human trafficking cases convicted and prosecuted in San Diego County has more than tripled over the past four years, District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis announced Friday.

According to the DA’s office, under the state’s sex trafficking statutes, a total of 40 human trafficking cases were prosecuted in San Diego in 2012 – a big jump from nine cases prosecuted by the DA’s office in 2009.

In 2013, 46 human trafficking cases were submitted to the San Diego Count DA’s office, with 43 defendants charged in those cases.

Dumanis said 50 local victims of human trafficking were identified in 2013, including nine minors.

The DA’s office released the statistics amid National Human Trafficking Awareness month and day, which is Saturday.

These numbers come just days after federal authorities arrested two dozen suspected North Park gang members in San Diego in connection with a cross-country sex trafficking ring involving dozens of female victims, including underage girls.

On Wednesday, following a warrant sweep across the county, officials revealed the bust was part of a year-long operation into the large-scale sex trafficking ring, which spans 46 cities across 23 states and involves 60 victims from San Diego.

Officials said gang members from the local group “BMS” allegedly acted as pimps, luring the women into a life of prostitution by using rap videos posted on social media that promised the women a glamorous, lavish lifestyle.

Once the victims became prostitutes, the suspects would allegedly “brand” their recruits with tattoos of gang symbols, bar codes or even a pimp’s name, and exchange the women among themselves as needed.

Dumanis said the human trafficking trend is disturbing and must be stopped.

“It’s clear that human trafficking is on the rise in our county,” Dumanis said Friday. “The crime is nothing more than modern day slavery that’s victimizing young women and girls from neighborhoods across San Diego. We’ve made it a priority in our office to collaborate with our law enforcement partners in the fight against human trafficking, holding offenders accountable and reaching out to victims.”

According to Dumanis, the biggest trend in human trafficking today is the increasing involvement of street gangs in the activity.

“[Gangs are engaging] in human trafficking as a money-making operation that in some cases is replacing drug dealing,” Dumanis explained.

Much like in this latest sex trafficking bust, the DA said young victims are being recruited via social media. Pimps are also looking for recruits at malls, high schools, middle schools, bus stops and on the trolley.

Many times, Dumanis said homeless teens are being targeted and lured into prostitution on promises of a better life.

“We’re seeing teenage girls recruited by pimps or boyfriends who may be gang members with promises of easy money and attention,” Dumanis said. “Once they’re under the control of the gang, the victims are tattooed, branded, and beaten to maintain control over them.”

At the end of this month, Dumanis – along with County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore and the San Diego County Regional Human Trafficking and CSEC Advisory Council – are slated to host a Human Trafficking Summit coordinated by the San Diego County Regional Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Advisory Council. The summit will bring individuals and agencies together to identify ways to improve the continuing fight against human trafficking.

In the meantime, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center continues to work to raise awareness on the topic. The center’s hotline can be reached at (888) 373-7888.
 

Girl, 5, Becomes Princess for a Day

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A 5-year-old’s dream of going to Disney World is coming true as Make-A-Wish Connecticut and the town of Berlin sent her off in the style of a true Disney princess.

Leah Prendergast of East Berlin is battling a life-threatening medical condition, and a spokesperson for the Make-A-Wish Foundation said her family wishes to keep the details private.

But for one day, she could forget about her problems.

Saturday she was treated like royalty – a parade of police escorts, fire engines and a horse-drawn carriage made its way through Berlin, where the streets were lined with hundreds of friends, family and community members clutching signs that showed their love and support.

"It was really nice to go on a carriage ride," said Leah's sister, Alexa. Leah herself was at a loss for words, but the excitement on her face said it all.

"To make her feel like such an important person in the community – she is an important person to the community, she's a celebrity in her own right – to give her and her entire family a sense of joy, comfort and support, it's incredible," said Make-A-Wish spokesperson Michael Dominick.

The mayor even declared Jan. 11 “Princess Leah Day.”

The parade began on Route 72 and continued on to Webster Square Road. Leah and her family took a ride in the carriage and followed the parade to the Creations Nail Salon, where Leah received the royal treatment of a manicure and pedicure.

Leah and her family leave for Disney World on Sunday morning.

Man Shot by Police in Pursuit ID'd

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San Diego police have identified the man who led authorities on an hour-long pursuit Thursday that ended with officers opening fire on the suspect in the Mt. Hope area.

According to SDPD officials, the man shot by police is 40-year-old Jose Luis Navarro of Lemon Grove.

On Saturday, Navarro was on life support at Scripps Mercy Hospital in Hillcrest. His family said he was shot twice in the head by officers during the pursuit. The family said they took Navarro off life support around 3 p.m. Saturday after finding a recipient for his organs.

The pursuit involving Navarro began Thursday around 8:30 a.m.

According to San Diego Police Department Lt. Kevin Mayer, a sergeant first spotted the man driving an orange 2002 Saturn, allegedly talking on his cell phone while driving.

The sergeant attempted to pull over Navarro for the traffic violation and he yielded in the 5400-block of Grape Street. However, the suspect soon took off, and a police pursuit ensued.

Amid the chase, Lt. Mayer said officers learned the suspect vehicle was possibly wanted in connection with a shooting that happened Jan. 6 in the 4400-block of Logan Avenue in Logan Heights.

In that incident, two people were shot and suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

After driving for an hour through San Diego and National City, the chase came to a halt around 9:30 a.m. in the 800-block of 41st Street and Hilltop.

According to police, Navarro pointed a gun toward the officers. Four police officers fired shots at him, hitting the man at least four times.

In tense moments captured on tape by NBC 7, dozens of police officers swarmed the suspect's vehicle with guns drawn. Bullet holes could be seen on the red car's front windshield.

Minutes later, with the red car still surrounded by officers, the driver was pulled from the vehicle, falling onto the ground.

Navarro was taken to Scripps Mercy with life-threatening injuries, where he was later pronounced deceased.

Officials said no police officers were injured in the shooting.

According to police, the four officers involved have been on the force 6, 7, 9 and 24 years.

Police found Navarro’s gun and drugs in the car. A woman who was riding in the vehicle with Navarro at one point was questioned by police as a witness. Investigators said the woman exited the car before the officer-involved shooting and was the one who told police Navarro was armed with a gun.

The San Diego Police Department said the officer-involved shooting remains under investigation.

Navarro’s family admitted Navarro had a criminal past but insist he wasn’t a violent man. Police have not yet confirmed whether Navarro was linked to that Jan. 6 shooting in Logan Heights.

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