MLK PARADE - Deputy Sheriffs' Association of San Diego County

station reports
Rolling 90s
San Marcos Station by David Robins
A deputy’s knowledge of his area of
responsibility plays a very important role in
the apprehension of criminals. When a deputy
works an area for a period of time, he or she
begins to learn the unique character of the beat
and gets to know the people who live there.
Several of this month’s notable arrests were due
in part to this “beat knowledge.”
Dep. Todd Baker investigated an assault with a
deadly weapon incident on Autumn Drive. The
victim was attempting to retrieve his soccer
ball from a couple of South Los gang members
when a fight ensued. The victim was struck with
an aluminum golf ball retriever and suffered
extensive injuries to his eye and mouth.
Deputy Baker obtained a good physical
description of the suspects, one of whom he
recognized from previous contacts he’d made.
He obtained photographs of the suspect to
create a photo lineup, and the victim positively
identified the suspect as Sergio Alvarez, a
well known South Los gang member. Based
upon Deputy Baker’s investigation, Alvarez
26 Silver Star February 2011
was arrested for the assault, confessed,
and implicated his younger brother as the
second attacker. Deputy Baker’s outstanding
investigative work earned him “Arrest of the
Month” for the San Marcos Station.
Cpl. Alan Noble had his hands full with a series
of residential burglaries in the unincorporated
areas of Escondido. The thefts all occurred
within a close proximity to a known juvenile
delinquent with a history of burglaries. Corporal
Noble and his beat partners, Deps. Marty
Chapman and Isaac White formulated a plan
to investigate the subject’s possible involvement
in the burglaries.
They drove to the subject’s residence and
immediately observed items from a burglary
the preceding day in plain view. Corporal
Noble called to the suspect, who was hiding in
a nearby shed. After realizing that the deputies
were determined to speak with him, the suspect
and his companion reluctantly exited the
shed and were detained. Noble and Chapman
conducted a security sweep of the shed and
observed additional stolen items in plain view.
Though the suspect had a valid fourth waiver,
Noble elected to have the property owner, the
suspect’s mother, sign a Consent to Search form.
The victims arrived on scene and confirmed
the property in the shed was taken during the
burglary of their homes. Corporal Noble’s beat
knowledge and thorough investigation led to the
arrest of the suspect and closed several burglary
and motorcycle theft cases. According to his
supervisor, Sergeant Guerra, “Corporal Noble’s
analysis of the crimes and immediate response
led to an arrest which will severely impact and
reduce crime in the unincorporated areas of
Escondido.”
Dep. Jeremy Banks took a burglary report on
Deer Springs Rd where $700 in cash was taken
from a residential property. Few people knew
where the victim hid his money so the list of
suspects was short. Deputy Banks conducted
a witness check and obtained information
that Josh Deegan and Steven Morrison were
observed in the area at the time of the burglary.
Based upon his beat knowledge, Deputy Banks
knew exactly where to find Deegan. Deputy
Banks conducted some preliminary database
work and confirmed Deegan’s status as a fourth
waiver and discovered Morrison had an active
misdemeanor warrant for 11350 H.S. Possession
of a Controlled Substance. Deputy Banks
arrived at Deegan’s residence to ask him about
the burglary, just as Deegan and Morrison were
pulling up in their vehicle. He searched Deegan,
pursuant to his fourth waiver conditions, and
discovered tar heroin inside his wallet.
During the investigation Deegan’s mother,
Theresa Horn, was extremely uncooperative
and verbally assaultive. At one point, Horn even
threatened deputies by brandishing a clothes
hanger over her head. She eventually dropped
the hanger, but continued her tirade against the
deputies. But despite this difficult atmosphere,
Deputy Banks discovered additional heroin in
Deegan’s bedroom and a hypodermic needle.
Both suspects were eventually arrested and
booked into the Vista Detention Facility on a
variety of drug related charges. Deputy Banks’
supervisor, Sgt. Deese, later wrote “Deputies
showed great restraint and professionalism
while dealing with Horn, but were met with
nothing but threats and accusations.”
These arrests highlight the importance of
learning our beats and getting to know the
people who live there. These people, whether
victims, witnesses, or suspects, become sources
of information when conducting investigative
and proactive policing. Getting out and talking
with people fosters good relationships between
citizens and the sheriff’s department, because
citizens see us as someone who takes ownership
of the problems affecting their neighborhood.
It’s another way each of us can be good
ambassadors for the department while also
creating resources to help us do our jobs better.
If this helps to put another criminal in jail, it
can’t be a bad thing.