Latest news with #EugeneMendiola
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Yahoo
Man suspected of breaking into businesses across county arrested
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Authorities arrested a 31-year-old man suspected of at least 19 burglaries spanning the county from Chula Vista and Mira Mesa to Escondido and Oceanside. On Wednesday, Eugene Mendiola was arraigned in downtown San Diego for charges stemming from cases in Scripps Ranch, Mira Mesa and Rancho Bernardo. Mendiola, who faced a judge Thursday in Vista for his accused involvement in North County crimes, pleaded not guilty. 'I am very happy just to be able to tell these neighbors and victims of this that we no longer have to worry about him coming around and doing this again to us,' said Fay's Diner owner Joshua Anderson. Fay's Diner in Scripps Ranch was one of three businesses targeted March 15 and one of seven that week alone. Authorities say Anderson's video shows the masked burglar smashing the front door then calmly walking into his restaurant and forcing the register open before running out and doing the same to two restaurants next door. 'It's horrible. What are you supposed to do when you see this and you realize you can't clean up the glass and you realize, 'I have 15 employees that can't go to work,'' Anderson said. 'We have 300 to 400 people a weekend, what do I do? Then you have to just sit in it.' The cases being investigated by San Diego police include: March 15: Fay Diner March 15: Isabella's Mexican Food March 15: Pizza at the Ranch March 16: Pho Hoang Express March 16: Fine Indian Cuisine March 16: Pailin Thai Café March 18: Best Pizza and Brew Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Yahoo
Suspect arrested in series of commercial burglaries
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Authorities arrested a suspect for his alleged involvement in seven separate cases of commercial burglaries over three months, the San Diego Police Department stated in a news release Thursday. According to police, seven businesses in San Diego were the target of commercial burglaries between March 15 and 18. Fay Diner, Isabella's Mexican Food and Pizza at the Ranch were burglarized on March 15. Retail theft bust at Las Americas outlet mall leads to 80 arrests Pho Hoang Express, Fine Indian Cuisine and Pailin Thai Café were targeted the next day on March 16, followed by Best Pizza and Brew two days later. On Friday, March 21, SDPD charged Eugene Mendiola, 31, with seven counts of commercial burglary. According to police, Mendiola was identified as the suspect when the vehicle being used during the crimes was traced back to him using the Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system. Mendiola has also been the suspect in several other cases throughout San Diego County since February. The crimes were committed in cities such as Chula Vista, El Cajon, Escondido and Oceanside, SDPD stated. Currently, Mendiola has been linked to a total of 19 different cases. SDPD said it is working with other law enforcement partners to find out whether he may have committed any other crimes. Anyone with more information is asked to call the Northeastern Substation at (858) 538-8012 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
