Updates: The victim has been identified as 51-year-old Anthony Trujillo. On Feb. 27, Andrew Gomez Cardona, 26, was arrested at a home on S. Magnolia in El Cajon. He has been booked on charges related to the murder of Trujillo, who died of a bullet wound in the neck. Cardona told deputies that he resided in Lemon Grove.
Lemon Grove Mayor Alysson Snow issued a statement expressing "shock and grief" at the klling in broad daylight. She extended "love and prayers" to family members and assured that law enforcemeng officers are "acting swiftly to bring those responsible to justice and to account for this inexcusable act of gun violence."
East County News Service
February 23, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – A man is dead after an assault with a deadly weapon at Kunkel Park in Lemon Grove this afternoon.
Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the park within four minutes of a call reporting the assault at 12:40 p.m. They found a Hispanic man in his 50s lying on the ground with trauma to his upper torso.
“Deputies promptly initiated first aid and life-saving measures, later assisted by Heartland Fire and AMR paramedics. The injured man was transported by AMR to a local hospital, where he tragically succumbed to his injuries,” says Lieutenant Michelle Krugh.
Homicide investigators are working to determine the motive and circumstances, but preliminary findings suggest the suspect and victim were acquainted.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330/after hours at (858) 868-3200. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
East County News Service
February 23, 2025 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon Police received an automatic license plate reader (ALPR) notification of a stolen vehicle at 1:37 a.m. Officers quickly located the car, but when they tried to stop the vehicle, the driver fled and a pursuit began. Due to the high speed, police ended the ground pursuit and utilized a Sheriff’s helicopter to track the car for approximately an hour as it traveled through the county.
“The vehicle eventually lost control and came to rest against a wooden pole on Sweetwater Rd. in Chula Vista,” says Lieutenant Mike Murphy with El Cajon Police Dept.
The driver, unable to exit the car through the driver's door, was arrested as he attempted to flee out the passenger door.
The two passengers fled on foot but were later apprehended after being monitored by the helicopter.
All three teens were arrested for auto theft and possession of stolen property and the driver of the car was also charged with evading arrest with wanton disregard for safety.
The driver and one passenger with a previous criminal record were booked into Juvenile Hall, and the other juvenile was released to a parent.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the El Cajon Police Department at (619) 579-3311.
East County News Service
February 21, 2025 (Ramona) – The Sheriff’s office is searching for Yolanda Marodi, also known as Yolanda Olejniczak, who is suspected in the stabbing death of her wife, Cal Fire Captain Rebecca Marodi. The couple had been married for approximately two years.
The suspect previously served time in prison for killing her first spouse, James Joseph Olejniczak, with a knife in San Bernadino County. She pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in 2003 and was imprisoned from February 2004 until November 2013, 10 News reports.
Rebecca Marodi served over 30 years with Cal Fire, including Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties.
On Feb. 17, Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of an assault at the couple’s Ramona home on Rancho Villa Road. First responders found the victim, who had suffered multiple stab wounds. Despite lifesaving efforts by deputies and paramedics, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspect is described as 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 166 pounds with brown hair. Olejniczak is believed to be driving a silver 2013 Chevrolet Equinox with California license plate "8BQJ420." She is traveling with a small white dog.
At this time, Olejniczak's whereabouts are not known. Out of an abundance of caution, the Sheriff's Office has alerted authorities on both side of the border about this suspect.
If you have any information for law enforcement on Olejniczak's whereabouts, reach out to the Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330 or call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
A tribute from Cal Fire San Diego states, “Captain Marodi, 49, dedicated more than three decades to serving and protecting our communities with unwavering bravery, leadership, and commitment.”
According to the post, Rebecca Marodi was caregiving for her 77-year-old mother, who lived with her in Ramona. The Cal Fire San Diego Benevolent Fund is asking for donations to cover continuing care for Marodi’s mother, as well as funeral expenses. You can donate at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/fundraising/fire-captain-rebecca-marodi-fundraiser.
By Miriam Raftery
February 19, 2025 (Spring Valley) – David Ruiz, 22, was arrested by Sheriff’s deputies today for the murder of his newborn son.
Responding to a 1:20 p.m. report of battery at a home on Sacramento Avenue in Spring Valley, San Miguel Firefighters arrived at 1:26 p.m., followed closely by Sheriff’s deputies from the Rancho San Diego station. “Firefighters discovered a newborn male infant unconscious on the living room floor, suffering from apparent trauma to his head. Tragically, the baby was pronounced dead at the scene,” says Lieutenant Michael Krugh.
The biological father, 22-year-old David Ruiz, was taken into custody and will be charged with the murder of his newborn son.
The motivation and circumstances surrounding this tragic homicide are still unclear. Sheriff's Homicide investigators are working to gather more information to determine the facts of the case.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330/after hours at (858) 868-3200. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
Update 4:30 p.m.: The victim has been identified as Cal Fire Captain Rebecca "Becky" Marodi, 10 News reports. On Facebook, Cal Fire confirms, "It is with great sadness that CAL FIRE reports the off-duty death of Fire Captain Rebecca “Becky” Marodi. Captain Marodi served over 30 years with CAL FIRE, primarily in Riverside County, but also serving time in San Bernardino and San Diego Counties. The tragic loss of Captain Marodi is mourned by her family, friends, and her CAL FIRE family."
By Miriam Raftery
February 18, 2025 (Ramona) – The San Diego County Sheriff’s department is seeking tips from the public to identify who brutally stabbed a woman in Ramona repeatedly last night. The victim died after the suspect fled the scene.
Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call reporting an assault with a deadly weapon shortly before 9 p.m. They found the victim, a 50-year-old Hispanic woman, with multiple stab wounds inside a home in the 20200 block of Rancho Villa Rd. Despite life-saving efforts by deputies and Cal Fire paramedics, the woman died at the scene.
“At this stage of the investigation, the motivation and circumstances of the homicide are still unclear. Currently there is no suspect information,” says Lieutenant Michael Krugh.
Sheriff's homicide investigators are working to gather more information to determine the facts of the case.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330/after hours at (858) 868-3200. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of the victim during this difficult time. We assure the public that we are using all available resources to thoroughly investigate and seek justice in this case,” Krugh concludes.