Latest news with #SDPD
India Today
4 days ago
- India Today
Indian-origin professor caught in child-sex sting in San Diego
An Indian-origin associate professor at the University of California San Diego has come under scrutiny after a viral video showed him being confronted in an alleged online child predator sting. In the footage, Nisarg Shah is accused of attempting to meet someone he believed to be a 14-year-old boy for alleged sexual activity. San Diego Police have confirmed that an investigation is underway. However, Shah has denied all allegations. He was briefly detained during the confrontation but was released at the associate professor was targeted in a vigilante sting coordinated by online activists. The video of the confrontation, which occurred last Saturday, August 2, inside Pavilions' grocery store in San Diego's Hillcrest community, was first published by a group "People v Preds", according to a local digital media outlet, SanDiegoVille. People vs Preds (People vs Predators) is a US-based vigilante group known for conducting online sting operations to expose alleged child the alleged video, activist Tim Johnson, who claimed to have exposed more than 500 suspected predators, confronted Shah over alleged explicit conversations reportedly conducted on the Grindr dating provided by the activists show Shah identifying himself as a the confrontation, Shah repeatedly expressed regret for his actions. "I feel horrible, the worst I've ever felt," he could be heard in the called his conduct "abhorrent" and admitted to bringing personal lubricant and a douche, claiming it was to help the person "get ready" and "prep". He adds, "I need to maybe get help or something."Two patrol vehicles from the San Diego Police Department arrived at the scene during the encounter. In the video, an SDPD officer is heard telling the activists that Shah would not be taken into custody at that moment, explaining that an arrest was not permitted under the the officer noted that Shah's phone would be confiscated, and the evidence would be turned over to the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.A photo appears to show Shah in handcuffs, but he was reportedly released at the scene, SanDiegoVille ISSUE STATEMENT OVER ALLEGATIONS AGAINST NISARG SHAHSan Diego Police Department (SDPD) said they are investigating the matter, according to the Lt Travis Easter said, "We are aware of the incident and our ICAC unit is actively investigating it. There have not been any charges made yet.""Our ICAC unit will typically not work with civilians acting as undercover operatives and does not condone such activities because the training involved in conducting these investigations consists of hours of intense legal training," Easter was quoted as saying by officer said that untrained civilians risk harm to themselves and others when conducting vigilante stings."Without that training, well-meaning civilians not only endanger themselves, but also the person they are contacting, as well as the general public," Easter WILL COOPERATE WITH LAW AGENCIES DURING PROBE: UC SAN DIEGOReacting to the allegations against its faculty member, the University of California San Diego pledged full cooperation with authorities, reaffirming its commitment to campus safety and zero tolerance for sexual misconduct."We have been made aware of the allegations against Nisarg J Shah. We will cooperate with all law enforcement agencies as needed during any investigation. The health, well-being and safety of our campus community members is our top priority," the varsity said, according to the San Diego, California-based news portal."All allegations of sexual harassment and sexual violence are taken very seriously. Anyone experiencing harassment, discrimination, sexual and relationship violence or stalking is encouraged to reach out to UC San Diego's Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination at ophd@ or it SHAH REJECTED THE ALLEGATIONSResponding to the query posted by SanDiegoVille, Shah said these were "wrongful allegations".advertisement"These are wrongful allegations and while I would have been willing to share my account, my attorney will not let me do so, but he would be happy to speak with you," SanDiegoVille quoted him as Shah is a well-regarded scholar with expertise in immunoengineering and the development of nanoscale is an associate professor in the Aiiso Yufeng Li Family Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering at UC San obtained his PhD in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, according to the University of California San Diego's was a postdoctoral fellow at the Wyss Institute and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard University, where he received the Cancer Research Institute's Irvington postdoctoral fellowship to develop biomaterials to enhance T-cell received his BSc degree in chemical and biomolecular engineering from Johns Hopkins University, where his research focused on developing nanoparticle-based delivery systems for cancer month, a Delta Air Lines pilot of Indian origin was taken into custody at San Francisco International Airport in connection with alleged child sex crimes, according to an official statement from the Contra Costa County Sheriff's accused, 34-year-old Rustom Bhagwagar of Florida, was arrested directly from the aircraft he was co-piloting.- Ends
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Enough Is Enough: San Diego Police Seize, Destroy Street Takeover Cars
Read the full story on The Auto Wire The gloves have come off as San Diego Police Department seizes and destroys cars used by street takeover participants. Normally, California law enforcement and the justice system in the state go famously soft on the street takeover crowd, just like looters during riots. But after decades of that not working, it seems SDPD is going old news station NBC 7 calls it a 'radical maneuver' even though this very thing is done all over the country. But it's being done to snap scofflaws in Southern California into realizing they need to stop. Will the move work? That's up for debate. One of two vehicles recently destroyed by SDPD on camera was a Toyota Chaser, a rare rear-wheel-drive JDM import. That has some enthusiasts outraged because such a vehicle is a sacred treasure to them. But others believe the practice of destroying cars used in the commission of crimes is counterproductive. After all, the vehicle didn't do anything wrong. They can be auctioned off to the public and some revenue generated for law enforcement. There's even the option of police departments repurposing seized cars for use by cops. Proponents of this practice think the public displays of destruction call attention to the seriousness of the crimes committed. In this case, it's sparking more dialog about what to do to combat the street takeover epidemic in California. In the past, the problem has been blown off as not a big deal, that kids are just having fun and not really doing any harm. The reality is the takeovers damage public and private property, innocent bystanders are sometimes hurt, participants are hurt or killed, and other illegal activities swirl around the gatherings. Something has to change in California as street takeovers rage out of control in the state. But is this the way to get it all under control? Image via NBC 7 San Diego/YouTube Join our Newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube page, and follow us on Facebook.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Yahoo
6 people arrested at illegal gambling den bust in San Diego
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Authorities addressed an illegal gambling den operating out of a home near the Azalea Park neighborhood of San Diego early Thursday morning. The den, located in the 2600 block of Fairmount Avenue, was first discovered in February after detectives with the San Diego Police Department's Mid-City division investigated a double shooting that had occurred in the same area. San Diego police investigate suspicious death of woman in Rolando neighborhood After serving a search warrant in the area, police seized several illegal gambling machines and shut down the den. A month later, detectives learned illegal activity had continued at the site. With assistance from SWAT teams, the Vice Unit and the FBI's Violent Crime Task Force, SDPD's Mid-City division served a search warrant at the residence on Thursday. This time, 12 illegal gambling machines were recovered along with two handguns, ammunition, narcotics and more than $1,000 in cash, according to SDPD. Authorities discovered 12 people inside the home involved in illegal gambling activities. Six were arrested, two were given citations and four were interviewed and released, SDPD stated. SDPD urges anyone who sees illegal activity to report it to the non-emergency line at (619) 531-2000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Yahoo
Driver, 24, killed after colliding with multiple parked cars in Mt. Hope
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A 24-year-old man is dead after losing control of his vehicle and crashing into multiple parked cars in San Diego's Mt. Hope neighborhood Sunday night, San Diego police said. The crash was reported just before 11 p.m. in the area of 400 42nd Street. According to police, the man left his residence and headed southbound in a 2008 Mazda CX5 after 'breaking glass items.' A short while later, the driver lost control and collided with a parked 1995 Jeep Wrangler on the east curb line of 42nd Street. Per SDPD, three additional parked vehicles were damaged by the Mazda. See real-time road conditions on the FOX 5/KUSI Live Traffic Map As a result of the collision, the man was ejected from the vehicle, sustaining critical injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not been released at this time. Officers with SDPD's Traffic Division were dispatched to the scene and are investigating the collision. At this time, it is unknown what caused the man to lose control of the vehicle and whether driving under the influence was a factor in the crash. Authorities are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to contact SDPD's Traffic Division or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
La Mesa police officer who fired weapon in chaotic chase identified
LA MESA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — The officer who fired his weapon during a chaotic pursuit of a domestic violence suspect in La Mesa earlier this week has been identified by authorities. The events that led up to the pursuit began around 10:40 a.m., when La Mesa Police Department officers responded to a report of a man strangling a woman in the area of 7700 Normal Ave. According to the San Diego Police Department, who is leading the investigation into the shooting, officers saw the suspect get in a vehicle with the woman inside and drive away as they arrived on scene. Bodycam footage shows man brandishing hatchet before police shooting La Mesa police officers then attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle. The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Jahlil Johnson, did not yield. However, he did pull over briefly to let the woman out of the vehicle before taking off again, SDPD said. Officers pursued the vehicle until it was learned that two young children, ages 5 and 7, were also inside, prompting the chase to be called off. According to SDPD, Johnson returned to the location where the female passenger was let out a short time later to let the kids exit the vehicle. With the kids out of the vehicle, SDPD says La Mesa police officers reinitiated the pursuit. A tire deflation device was deployed at this time, but Johnson continued driving. The suspect was eventually stopped in the area of 4400 Parks Ave. with a police vehicle stopping behind him. According to SDPD, the officer in the passenger seat then attempted to get out of the vehicle to conduct a high-risk vehicle stop, but Johnson backed up into the front of it. Upon impact, the officer hit his head. In response, he fired his weapon multiple times at the vehicle. The officer, who hit the vehicle but not the suspect, was identified Friday as Taylor Persitza, an eight-year veteran of the La Mesa Police Department. He was transported to a hospital for treatment to his head injury following the collision. After the crash, the suspect then fled again, taking him into the city of San Diego. Tire deflation devices were deployed twice more to no avail. The pursuit finally came to an end in the area of 7800 University Ave. after a relative of Johnson stepped in front of the vehicle, according to SDPD. Once stopped, he exited the vehicle to attempt to flee on foot. The suspect ran for about two blocks, but officers with La Mesa, San Diego and El Cajon were able to catch up to him. A taser and K-9 were used to take him into custody. Johnson sustained non-critical injuries in the arrest and has since been released. He was booked into a San Diego County Jail and faces multiple felony charges including domestic violence and child endangerment, according to SDPD. While the suspect was not shot, SDPD's Homicide Unit was called in to lead the investigation into the incident under the county's memorandum of understanding regarding shootings involving police officers. Cause, manner of death revealed for 9-year-old who died after dental procedure Once the investigation concludes, it will be handed to the San Diego County District Attorney's Office for review to determine if the officer bears any criminal liability for his actions. The La Mesa Police Department will also conduct an administrative investigation into the discharge of the weapon. According to SDPD, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Attorney's Office will also be monitoring the investigation. Authorities are encouraging anyone with information regarding this incident to call SDPD's Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 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.
