| San Diego County Sheriff - March 2015 |
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Welcome to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department Newsletter
2015 is only a few months old, but the Sheriff's Department has been busy working on a number of projects designed to keep you safe.
In this month's e-newsletter, you will learn about how we are expanding our agency to better serve you.
Later this spring, we will be opening the new Lakeside Sheriff's Substation. The new facility is located near Lindo Lake Park and will give deputies another valuable resource to fight crime in the East County.
Our deputies will also be fanning out across San Diego County to stop drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol on St. Patrick's Day. If you drink and drive, you will be arrested ... no matter what day it is.
We have many events planned for the month of March where you can learn how to protect yourself from criminals. From Coffee With The Community to the St. Patrick's Day Parade, we hope to see you there.
Bill Gore, Sheriff
San Diego County
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| North County Prowler Arrest
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| The Sheriff's Department wants you to know about the arrest of a man on charges of breaking into children's bedrooms in the North County and sexually assaulting them. Gilbert Andrew Chavarria was taken into custody on February 16th after DNA and other evidence linked him to four cases. He might have other victims. Anyone with information is urged to call the Sheriff's Department at (858) 565-5200. Chavarria's crime spree started in June 2013 around Escondido and San Marcos. He broke into homes by removing or cutting the screen from open windows in the early morning hours. Chavarria cut pieces of the victims' pajamas during assaults. The victims were between the ages of 5 and 15. Investigators say Chavarria is so brazen he would commit the crime while parents are asleep in the room and only feet away from the children.
To protect your home and family from any intruder, ALWAYS close and lock your windows and doors, even during hot summer months. Criminals are always on the lookout for an opportunity. |
| Where Is Elaina Eugenia Rivera? |
Elaina Eugenia Rivera (photo on right is age progressed)
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| The Sheriff's Homicide Detail wants your help in solving the suspicious disappearance of a Ramona girl who vanished nearly 30 years ago. 13-year-old Elaina Eugenia Rivera was last seen on June 26, 1987 in the 14000 block of Mussey Grade Road in Ramona. Her father reported her missing a few days later. At the time of her disappearance, Elaina stood 5'3" tall, weighed around 90 pounds with long brown hair and brown eyes. She has a small scar on the right side of her upper lip. If you have any information on the suspicious disappearance of Elaina Eugenia Rivera, call the Sheriff's Homicide Detail at (858) 974-2321. You can remain anonymous and be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. Call the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477. Help solve other murders and learn more about our cold case files. |
Recruitment for sworn positions opens during the first business day of each month. If you have questions about the hiring process, you can chat with a Sheriff's recruiter on:
Monday, March 2
10:00 a.m. to noon
 @SDSheriff
Just type your questions on our Twitter page and a recruiter is available to explain the application process to you.
Click on the video above to learn more about applying for a job with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
or email
recruit@sdsheriff.org.
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| Don't Drink And Drive On St. Patrick's Day
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| Don't press your luck this St. Patrick's Day by drinking and getting behind the wheel. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department will be out in full force looking for impaired drivers. Watch for increased DUI patrols by Sheriff's Deputies across the county on: Tuesday, March 17 (St. Patrick's Day) and Tuesday, March 31 Patrols begin at 7:00 p.m. and last through 3:00 a.m. the following day. There will also be two DUI checkpoints during March in the following cities: Saturday, March 21 San Marcos Saturday, March 28 Vista The Sheriff's Department has these tips for a safe St. Patrick's Day:
- Plan a safe way home before heading out.
- Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home.
- If you're impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member or use public transportation.
- If you see an impaired driver on the road, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Here are some sober ride options: Be My Designated Driver Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) North County Transit District (NCTD) Don't drink and drive ... IT'S JUST NOT WORTH IT! |
| Join Sheriff Bill Gore and employees of the Sheriff's Department for the St. Patrick's Day Parade at Balboa Park. It's considered the largest celebrations of its kind west of the Mississippi River. You're invited to join us on: Saturday, March 14 10:30 a.m. Parade starts at Fifth Avenue at Laurel Street Balboa Park For more information, click here. |
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Future Lakeside Sheriff's Substation
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The future Lakeside Sheriff's Substation is taking shape.
Remodeling started on a building in early November 2014. The substation will be located at 12365 Parkside Street, Lakeside. It will cover Lakeside and unincorporated areas of El Cajon serving more than 70, 000 people.
It has one-story of operational and office space with 48 sworn and four professional staff. The substation will be under the Santee Sheriff's Station command.
We'll keep you posted on when the ribbon cutting ceremony will take place in late spring.
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| Fighting Crime With Technology
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| The San Diego County Sheriff's Department uses many resources to keep the community safe. One of the biggest tools deputies use to fight crime is technology. State Tech Magazine recently took a closer look at the important role tablets and smart phones play in law enforcement. The article features an interview with Sheriff's Technology Manager Ashish Kakkad (pictured above), who explains how mobile devices help deputies catch criminals every day. To read the State Tech Magazine article, click here. The Sheriff's Data Services Division acquires, installs, and maintains all information systems within the Sheriff's Department, including more than 4,000 pieces of computer hardware. Data Services also supports key information systems that serve all law enforcement and justice agencies in the San Diego region. Using the latest technology is another way the Sheriff's Department is working to make San Diego County the safest urban area in the nation. |
| Junior Deputy Academy - San Marcos
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| Sheriff's Deputies are committed to keeping our children safe. We also want our youngsters to be our partners in building safer schools and communities.
That's why the San Marcos Sheriff's Station offers a free program called the Junior Deputy Academy. This is a ten-week class for children 8 to 15 years old. They meet for three hours once a week. Recently, children got a special visit from Sheriff's ASTREA Pilots who fly patrol and firefighting helicopters for the department. They answered questions about the aircraft and their duties in the air to support deputies on the ground. Parents of middle school students who live in San Marcos can check with their principal about enrolling in the next academy. To learn more about the Junior Deputy Academy, click here. |
|  Stay Safe San Diego. |
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Coffee With The Community -
Alpine
 Community outreach is a top priority for the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. Members of the community should feel comfortable bringing problems related to safety and security to our staff. You're invited to join us at a Coffee With The Community in Alpine: Saturday, March 21 9:00 a.m. Alpine Sheriff's Station, Community Room 2751 Alpine Boulevard (619) 659-2608 For a flyer, click here Coffee With The Community gives the public a chance to chat with deputies in a casual setting and exchange ideas and concerns over a free cup of coffee. Come out and make a positive difference in your community. For tips on how to stay safe, visit www.sdsheriff.net/crimeprevention. |
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Bank Robbery - Ramona
The Ramona Sheriff's Substation wants your help in identifying and finding a man wanted in connection with a bank robbery.
It happened on February 11th just after 11:00 a.m. at the Bank of America located in the 1400 block of Main Street.
Witnesses say the suspect walked up to a bank teller and handed over a note demanding cash. The suspect then took off. He was not seen with a weapon. No one was hurt in the bank robbery.
If you recognize this man, call the Sheriff's non-emergency line at
You can remain anonymous and be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.
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Library Burglaries - Valley Center
The Sheriff's Department wants your help in identifying and locating a suspect wanted in connection with two burglaries at the Valley Center Library.
The total loss from the burglaries is estimated at nearly $15,000.
The first burglary happened between December 24 - 26, 2014. The second happened around January 27, 2015.
Among the items stolen were laptops, iPads, digital cameras and other high-priced electronics. For photos of some of the stolen items, click
here.
If you have any information on the suspect or these burglaries, call the Sheriff's non-emergency line at (858) 565-5200.
You can remain anonymous and be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. Call
Crime Stoppers at
(888) 580-8477.
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| Finish Chelsea's Run
Chelsea King was an avid cross country runner who lived in Poway. She went missing on February 25, 2010 after going for a run at Lake Hodges.
Chelsea was the victim of a sex offender and the Sheriff's Department was in charge of the massive search for the teen and the case investigation.
Join the Sheriff's Department Team to Finish Chelsea's Run:
Saturday, March 7
7:30 a.m.
Balboa Park
Proceeds from the run will be used by the Chelsea's Light Foundation to help support and eliminate harm to children by sexual predators through community activism, legislative reform and education.
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Car Theft Prevention -
Spring Valley
 Anyone can become the victim of a car thief. The Rancho San Diego Sheriff's Station is holding a Car Theft Prevention & Awareness Event on:
Saturday, March 7
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Spring Valley Shopping Center
543 Sweetwater Road
Free steering wheel locks will be given out to owners of the top stolen vehicles in San Diego County. For a list of qualifying vehicles, click
here.
Sheriff's Crime Prevention Specialists will be on-hand with tips and resources to keep you safe.
To download an event flyer, click
here.
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Tax Scams
 Tax season is here. Beware of criminals looking to scam people filing their income taxes. Click on the video above to learn how you can protect yourself from tax scams. You can also watch the video by following the Sheriff's Department on VIMEO.
For more tips on how you can avoid getting scammed, visit:
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Simon Says: Walking Safety
Simon the Safety Bloodhound loves nothing more than to teach kids how to be safe. Click on the video above to see Simon show children how to put safety first when walking down or crossing the street. You can also watch this video by following us on VIMEO.  For more than a decade, Simon and his best pal, Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) K-9 Unit Team Leader Pam Medhurst, have been teaching children all across San Diego County what to do if they get lost or approached by a stranger through their "Don't Run Around, Stay Found" presentations.
You can learn more safety tips from Simon the Safety Bloodhound and watch his special safety videos by visiting his webpage:
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Holiday Closures
 San Diego County Sheriff's Department Stations, Substations and Headquarters will be closed for the following state holiday:
Tuesday, March 31
Cesar Chavez Day
All detention facilities will remain open. The closure to the public of business offices will not impact deputies in the field or employees scheduled or on-call.
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