La Mesa Police Department Conducts Undercover Massage Parlor Sweep
Tuesday, 14 May 2013 12:14
The La Mesa Police Department, in a joint effort with the FBI, ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), California Department of Labor Standards Enforcement and San Diego Sheriff’s Department conducted an undercover prostitution detail at four locations in the City of La Mesa on Thursday, May 9, 2013.
The purpose of the operation was to identify alleged criminal activity that was occurring in massage parlors operating within the City of La Mesa. The operation resulted in the arrest of two individuals on prostitution charges. Those arrested were Xiaoyan Cao, age 43, at Mesa Spa, in the 8000 block of La Mesa Blvd. and Ivy Lihui Sun, age 41, at Transcend Spa, in the 7900 block of University Ave. Both subjects are believed to be Chinese nationals.
Administrative investigations are being conducted at the four locations by the various agencies involved. If found to be in non-compliance, the businesses face potential fines in the tens of thousands of dollars.
As part of the operation, the La Mesa Police Department partnered with victim specialists from the FBI, ICE HSI, and the U.S. Attorney’s office, as well as Christ Lutheran Church and Crossepoint Life Church (both of La Mesa), to provide victim assistance services to anyone identified as a victim of human trafficking.
Det. Seán Snow of the LMPD Investigations Division began investigating reports of prostitution and possible human trafficking at massage parlors in the City of La Mesa in 2012. This joint operation was the culmination of several previous undercover operations at these businesses.
On May 8, 2013 at approximately 3:18 AM, La Mesa Police officers responded to a radio call of a vehicle theft that had just occurred from 5040 Comanche Dr. #11. Officers spotted the vehicle at Baltimore Dr. and Parkway Dr. Officers proceeded to follow the stolen vehicle westbound on Parkway Dr. and then northbound on Maryland Ave. The suspect fled from the stolen vehicle as it was traveling north on Maryland Ave. As officers began to pursue the suspect on foot, the patrol sergeant exited his vehicle to begin setting up a perimeter and coordinating a search. The abandoned stolen vehicle began to roll backwards and struck the sergeant as he stood in the street. The sergeant was dragged by the vehicle for over 50 feet down Maryland Ave. He was ultimately able to push himself off the moving vehicle and onto the pavement. The sergeant was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital and later released after being treated for minor injuries.
Resources from the El Cajon Police Department, National City Police Department, San Diego State University Police Department, and San Diego County Sheriff’s Department responded to assist with the search for the suspect, who was not located and is still outstanding.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, 5’8”-5’10”, approximately 25 years old, dark hair, wearing a gray sweatshirt and jeans.
La Mesa Police Reminds Residents Regarding Underage Drinking and Social Host Ordinance
Tuesday, 07 May 2013 16:35
It’s that time of year for teenagers to attend their prom and graduation parties. The La Mesa Police Department would like to remind parents and social hosts that it is a misdemeanor crime to allow persons under 21 to possess or consume alcohol at anytime, even if it’s inside a residence.
The City of La Mesa has a Social Host ordinance which reads in part, a Social Host is a person who permits a gathering where one or more minors possess or consume alcoholic beverages on the property owned or controlled by the host. It is a violation not to take all reasonable steps to prevent any minor (person under 21 years old) from possessing or consuming an alcoholic beverage. Violators face not only the potential for criminal charges, but could face civil liability for injuries as well as incurring costs to re-imburse the City for any police response.
The La Mesa Police Department encourages all parents and hosts to use due diligence to not allow minors to possess or consume alcohol at anytime. Underage drinking is an extreme public safety hazard for the minor and the community. The La Mesa Police Department wants people to enjoy themselves responsibly and to obey the laws.
Two Men Shot While Driving on Interstate 8 in La Mesa
Sunday, 05 May 2013 16:22
Two Men Shot While Driving on Interstate 8 in La Mesa
****UPDATE****
As of 4:45 PM on May 5, 2013, the medical conditions of the victims are the following:
Victim #1: Gunshot wound to his left arm. Victim #1 is in stable condition and expected to survive.
Victim #2: Gunshot wound to his head. Victim #2 is in critical condition and not expected to survive per medical staff.
On May 5, 2013, at approximately 3:38 AM, the El Cajon Office of the California Highway Patrol received calls of an incident on Interstate 8 involving a vehicle on the side of the freeway and a person lying in the roadway.
At 3:46 AM, La Mesa Police received a call from security officers at Grossmont Hospital reporting two male subjects had arrived at the Emergency Room with gun shot wounds. The males were believed to be in their twenties. Both injured men are in serious condition.
La Mesa Police Officers responded to the hospital and determined both incidents were related. It is believed that two vehicles were travelling eastbound on Interstate 8 near SR-125 when the occupants of one vehicle were fired upon by occupants of another vehicle.
La Mesa Police are working with the California Highway Patrol on this investigation. Eastbound Interstate 8 through the City of La Mesa was temporarily shut down to vehicular traffic while officers conducted a crime scene investigation.
2nd Annual La Mesa Police Department Youth Leadership Camp
Thursday, 02 May 2013 13:03
The La Mesa Police Department will be hosting its 2nd Annual La Mesa Police Youth Leadership Camp from June 24-27, 2013. The purpose of the Youth Leadership Camp is to provide leadership training and life-enhancing skills, personal development training, academic enrichment, team building, and to teach responsibility to one’s family and community. Participants will engage in classroom instruction, discussions, and scenarios; athletic and academic challenges (team and individual); field trips to volunteer community service work; and other activities.
Participants will be challenged physically and mentally, as they develop the concepts of becoming a successful leader. It is hoped that the Youth Leadership Camp will have a meaningful impact on the participants’ character and leadership development, as well as contribute to their success in life.
The camp will be facilitated and supervised by La Mesa Police officers, civilian staff, and management. The San Diego Chargers, Carl Burger Dodge, and La Mesa Rotary have collectively contributed significant monetary donations to make the leadership camp free to the participants. Many of the athletic (team and individual) challenges will be hosted and facilitated by the Joan Kroc Center.
The La Mesa Police Department is seeking 24 student applicants, ages 15-18 years old from various East County high schools to participate in the leadership camp. Applications and waivers for the 2nd Annual La Mesa Police Department Youth Leadership Camp can be found by selecting the police department page on the City of La Mesa website (cityoflamesa.com). For questions about the camp, contact Lieutenant Angela DeSarro at (619) 667-7543 or
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