Police hunt for suspects in taco-shop robbery Robbery detectives are probing the July 23 armed robbery of Roberto’s Taco Shop on Voltaire Street.
According to police, two men — described only as black — entered an open rear door of Roberto’s with handguns shortly after 4 a.m. The men robbed the business and fled with cash. A black sedan was witnessed speeding off from the area and is described as possibly a Buick or Lincoln. No injuries were reported. ….
Father linked to son’s death in rollover to face court date An Aug. 28 preliminary hearing has been set for a father who crashed his car near Rosecrans Street and fled the scene while leaving his 4-year-old son in the wreckage. The boy later died.
Angelo Fabiani Arroyo, 40, has pleaded not guilty to a hit-and run crash that resulted in death and child abuse in the June 2 incident. Arroyo crashed his Nissan Titan off Interstate 5 near Old Town, when the vehicle went down an embankment.
Witnesses said Arroyo worked to free his son from the car, but when he got the seatbelt unfastened, the child dropped 10 feet to the pavement and suffered head injuries. Arroyo then fled the scene.
He was arrested days later, and his son died on June 11 in a hospital.
Arroyo’s bail was initially set at $150,000, but after his son’s death, his bail was raised to $500,000. Arroyo remains in jail.
The son’s mother petitioned the court and asked if Arroyo could attend the boy’s funeral with sheriff’s deputies. The judge granted her request, according to court records.
— Neal Putnam ……
Suspect sought in beating with baseball bat Police are hunting for a man who struck another man in the head with a baseball bat in the La Playa neighborhood on Aug. 4.
The suspect reportedly went to the victim’s home on Rosecrans Street shortly before 4 p.m. and asked for a man by name, at which point he allegedly produced a handgun and the baseball bat. When the 46-year-old victim asked the suspect to leave, the assailant struck the other man in the head with the bat. The injuries were not considered life-threatening.
The suspect was described as being a black man, about 35-40 years old, 6-foot 3-inches tall with a muscular build. He was wearing a blue baseball cap, white shirt and sunglasses. He was last seen leaving in a silver Dodge Charger or Challenger with white license plates.
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Bank robbery suspect makes off with loot Robbery detectives are probing a bank heist at the US Bank on Midway Drive that occurred on Aug. 3. The suspect entered the bank at the Vons supermarket and presented a demand note to the teller, indicating he had a gun. The clerk gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of cash before the man fled out the front door. The suspect is described as a black man in his 20s, 5-feet 9 inches tall, wearing a blue sweater, tan jeans, white tennis shoes and a gray baseball cap with the letters “WC.”
No one was injured in the heist, according to police.
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Woman arrested after allegedly stabbing boyfriend A 19-year-old woman was arrested after allegedly cutting her boyfriend with scissors during an argument on Aug. 2 at Abbott Street and Newport Avenue.
Police said the woman, who apparently was dating the 30-year-old victim, became involved in an argument with the man shortly before 8:30 p.m. when things turned physical. The woman reportedly cut the man behind his ear. He was transported to a local trauma center for treatment and the woman was subsequently arrested.
….. Elderly bank robber pleads guilty A 78-year-old man has pleaded guilty to robbing the Comerica Bank at 3361 Rosecrans St. and will be sentenced Oct. 28.
Dale Eugene Jenkins pleaded guilty in July to the May 13 robbery, during which $80 was taken. Although the maximum sentence is 20 years in federal prison, Jenkins is unlikely to receive such a sentence considering his age and other factors.
He could get five years in prison or more, depending on whether he has any prior convictions. Jenkins admitted robbing the bank to authorities after his arrest and claimed he had robbed other banks to a reporter at KGTV Channel 10. He was dressed in a suit and tie with a dark fedora-style hat and was arrested several blocks away while towing a rolling suitcase on the sidewalk.
“I rob banks. It’s my hobby,” he told the TV reporter.
Jenkins tried to plead guilty earlier in federal court and claimed he robbed the bank because he was homeless. Although he claimed to have robbed other banks, he was only charged with the one holdup.
He is being held on $50,000 bail.
—Neal Putnam
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OB Town Council to host election The Ocean Beach Town Council (OBTC) is preparing to host an election for eight open seats on its board of directors Sept. 9 and is currently accepting letters of intent from potential candidates.
OBTC directors have a voice in communicating the views and needs of the community to the appropriate agencies and are at the forefront of community discussions in taking appropriate action on community issues for the general betterment of Ocean Beach.
The eight open seats are two-year terms. Half of the board is up for election every year. To be eligible, candidates must be at least 18, be a paid-in-full OBTC member and either work, live in, own property in or operate a business in Ocean Beach. Letters of intent must be filed by Monday, Aug. 26.
For more information, email [email protected], or visit www.obtowncouncil.org.
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PB classic car show to roar in Aug. 18 If you like fast cars, attractive women and fun times, then the fifth annual Pacific Beach Hot Rod and Classic Car Show on Sunday, Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Garnet Avenue between Mission Boulevard and Dawes Street is where you need to be.
The free event, presented by Sycuan Casino, is hosted by “Charger” Steve Lordigyan.
Showcasing hundreds of hot rods and classic cars, the show will feature the real General Lee from “The Dukes of Hazzard” TV show, the real Christine Car from the movie of the same name and The Mystery Machine from the Scooby Doo cartoon, as well as a a guest appearance by Catherine “Daisy Duke” Bach.
The event is a can’t-miss, said Lordigyan.
“We’re hoping to drive business to downtown Pacific Beach,” he said, adding the car show will be packed with live entertainment. There will be a bikini contest by Hollywood Tans, an engine blow-up contest, Playboy model Pilar Lastra, Hooters girls and comedy, magic and dance.
Look for more details in the Aug. 15 edition of the Beach & Bay Press.
For more information, visit www.chargersteve.com.
—David Schwab