Bicyclist v. pick-up truck ends badly
Bicyclist v. Vehicle ends badly for bike rider.
Escondido police today were asking for additional information pertaining to a Tuesday evening collision involving a vehicle and a bicyclist leaving the bicyclist seriously injured, but alive.
Witnesses and the vehicle driver provided some information about the incident that left a 16-year-old bicyclist injured at Washington Avenue and Broadway just before 7 p.m.
Officers arriving at the scene found the boy lying in the northbound lanes of Broadway with a white GMC pickup stopped on the east side of the street, just north of Washington Avenue.
The boy was not wearing a helmet and Escondido Fire paramedics transported him to Palomar Hospital for treatment. While injuries were termed significant, they weren’t life-threatening, Lt. Justin Murphy said.
The driver of the vehicle, 42-year-old Amy Leichtfyss of Wildomar, reportedly had a green light when the bicyclist barreled in front of her. Alcohol was not believed to be contributing factor to the collision, at this time, according to police.
However, the investigation continues with Officer Thomas Venable of the Traffic Division asking anyone with information to call him at (760) 839-4483.
Overly hardy summer party hosts get cited and fined
Escondido Police today announced the results of investigations into large parties with groups of people fighting dating back to August 2014. Those results weren’t so good for several people who were cited on suspicion of violating social host ordinances. In fact, they resulted in a significant fine and probation, Lt. Greg Kogler said.
“In August of 2014 and July of 2015,” Kogler said, “Escondido Police Officers responded to separate incidents of large parties with groups of people fighting. One incident occurred at a residence, and the other occurred at a motel.
“In both instances, a follow up investigation determined a party was being held, and a number of persons under the age of 21 were present,” Koger said. “It was also determined alcohol was being served at the party, a number of minors had consumed alcoholic beverages, and several person had been injured as a result of the fights.”
Stephen Psarris, 19, was cited on suspicion of hosting a party at a private residence in August 2014. He also was cited on suspicion of violating Escondido Municipal Code. He failed to appear at two hearings concerning the matter, was arrested and hauled into court. He pleaded guilty last week and received a $1,000 fine.
The July case resulted in Fernando Nambo, 20, being issued a citation on suspicion of renting a motel room where the out-of-control party occurred. He pleaded guilty last week, copping a $1,000 fine and three years probation.
“The social host ordinance is an Escondido ordinance specifically crafted to combat underage drinking,” Kogler said. “The ordinance makes it a misdemeanor for any person who has control of a premises and knowingly permits, allows, or hosts a gathering where minors are allowed to consume alcohol.”
Escondido Police Chief Craig Carter and the department intends to continue looking out for parties of the overly loud and out-of-hand kind, police said.
“The Escondido Police Department will continue to use the social host ordinance as a deterrent to underage drinking, and plans to schedule several operations over the next six-to-12 months specifically targeting individuals hosting group gatherings in violation of this section,” Kogler added.
Global Police Tweet-a-Thon
Escondido Police announced recently that its social media team will participate in the 5th Annual Global Police Tweet-a-Thon.
“Law enforcement agencies around the globe participate in this 24-hour event designed to strengthen ties with their communities and to provide perspective into the details of police work,” Kogler said.
“This year, the Department will be participating during swing shift hours, 3 p.m. to 1 a.m., and will provide followers with a ‘virtual-ride-along’ experience,” Kogler said. “Join us @EscondidoPolice and/or by searching hashtag #PolTwt.”
More charges filed against Escondido businessman accused of sexual abuse
Richard James Sears, 47, of Escondido
Additional charges were filed Friday against a San Diego County businessman accused of molesting three young boys and raping a woman in Riverside County — with more allegations possible, a prosecutor said.
“This is a huge investigation,” Deputy District Attorney Will Robinson said. “It has expanded since it began, and it may grow.”
Richard James Sears, 47, of Escondido was arrested Aug. 29 following a Riverside County sheriff’s investigation into child sex abuse allegations going back to 1999.
Sears initially was charged with six felony counts, but during a hearing last week before Superior Court Judge Helios Hernandez, Robinson submitted an amended complaint, adding 13 new charges, including forcible rape, lewd acts on a child under 10 years old, sodomy of a minor, sexual penetration with a foreign object and a sentence-enhancing allegation of targeting multiple victims during a crime series.
Sears is a software development professional and owned a dotcom, selling it for a substantial profit, according to investigators.
The defendant’s San Diego attorney, Paul Pfingst, argued Friday for Hernandez to lower Sears’ $5 million bail, citing the defendant’s lack of prior criminal history. But the judge deferred a decision to give the prosecution an opportunity for rebuttal on Oct. 2.
Sears is being held at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.
