vandalism

Unknown Suspects Wanted for Felony Charges of Throwing Objects at Moving Trolleys

Up to $1,000 Reward Offered  

San Diego County Crime Stoppers and investigators from the San Diego Police Department’s Southeastern Division are asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating the suspects responsible for throwing objects at moving MTS trolley cars at various locations throughout Southeastern San Diego.  

Since early June 2017, MTS has reported 19 separate cases in which unknown suspects are throwing large rocks at trolley cars along the Orange Line route. These cases have occurred at various locations from downtown San Diego through La Mesa. Eleven of these cases have occurred at various locations in Southeastern San Diego including:  

68th Street and Akins Avenue (Encanto area) 
43rd Street and K Street (Mt. Hope area) 
47th Street Trolley Stop (Lincoln Park area) 
Euclid Avenue Trolley Stop (Chollas View area) 

The most recent cases have occurred at the 54th Street pedestrian crossing near 54th Street and Market Street (Valencia Park area). 

In all of these cases, one or more suspects are seen throwing large rocks at moving trolley cars causing a large amount of damage to the exterior of the trolley cars. This damage includes cracked windshields, side windows, broken lights, and dented exteriors. The total damage in all of these cases is over $ 40,000. 

Investigators would like to remind the public that throwing objects at a trolley is a felony crime in addition to the vandalism those objects cause. Objects being thrown at the trolley have the possibility of breaking through the glass and causing serious injuries to both the driver and passengers onboard.    

Anyone with information on the identity or location of the person(s) responsible for these crimes is asked to call SDPD’s Southeastern Division at (619) 527-3500 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477.  Please visit www.sdcrimestoppers.org for information on how to send a web or mobile app tip. Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in this case. 

  • Media inquiries about these cases can be directed to Lt. Manny Del Toro at (619)    527-3514 or email at mdeltoro@pd.sandiego.gov
  • Inquiries about Crime Stoppers can be directed to SDPD Officer Mark Herring at (619) 531-1500 or msherring@pd.sandiego.gov or Deputy Adriana Uribe at (619)    531-1547 or email at adriana.uribe@sdsheriff.org .