La Jolla crime and public safety news: liquid balloons, pellet shooting, safety tips, blotter

Teenagers investigated after liquid-filled balloons thrown from building

An investigation is underway following an incident in La Jolla in which a group of teenagers allegedly threw balloons filled with liquid, possibly urine, from the roof of the Gaines Investment Trust building, at 7590 Fay Ave., on the evening of June 6.

According to a social media post, six to eight teenagers were seen throwing the balloons into the street below, hitting the person who wrote the message and at least one other person.

“My vehicle was hit by at least 20 balloons and shopping bags filled with liquid, my clothes were soaked,” the post said. “These seemingly innocent pranks are assaults, and it’s only a matter of time before something really bad happens.”

The group of teenagers then went to one of the apartments in the building, according to witnesses. The teens are believed to have been students at La Jolla High School.

The names of four possible suspects have been passed to police, according to another report.

San Diego police have launched an investigation, Lt. Matthew Botkin said.

“However, as the investigation is only just beginning, I have no further information to provide,” he said.

Anyone with information about the case can email Officer Garrett Sheehan of the San Diego Police Department at [email protected].

Girl hit by pellet fired from car in La Jolla Shores

A young girl was hit in the chest by a form of pellet fired from a car in La Jolla Shores last week.

According to a social media post, the girl was walking along the Camino del Oro on the afternoon of June 6 when she saw a car driving by several times. Shortly after, the post stated that “three male passengers approximately high school age…fired three shots from the back seat” with what appeared to be a BB gun or something similar.

One of the pellets hit the girl, who was not seriously injured, according to the message.

“Acts like these are completely unacceptable and dangerous,” Botkin said. “We encourage this poor girl’s family to report the incident to SDPD so we can fully investigate.”

Police offer summer safety tips

The upcoming summer weather could mean more days and evenings spent away from home or cycling. So San Diego Police Department Community Relations Officer Jessica Thrift of the department's Northern Division was at the Bird Rock Community Council meeting on June 4 to discuss summer home safety tips. and bicycle.

Keeping the lights on even when you're not home is a recommended proactive measure, Thrift said.

“Having lights on is one of the best ways to deter someone [from making] your house is a target,” she said. “If you have a camera and/or alarm system, make sure you turn it on and use it. Most people, if they go out for a short period of time, go away without paying attention to these systems being activated, and that's when something bad happens.

Thrift added that residents can take steps to protect their bikes and make them identifiable if they are stolen and recovered.

“It’s not just about locking your bike,” she said. “You need to look at the type of lock you are using and where you are using it. If it is something that breaks or cuts easily, [don’t use it].”

Most importantly, Thrift said, any engravings, stickers or other markings are key to distinguishing the bike from others. Without something to distinguish it, “it’s no different than any other that could have been stolen,” she said.

She also suggested writing down the serial number of the bike. “If you write this down and we find your bike, we can return it to you,” she said.

Police blotter

Further details were not available from San Diego police.

May 24

• Residential burglary: Block 6200 Calle Vera Cruz, 1:49 p.m.

May 30

• Vehicle break-in/theft: 8300 block La Vereda, 12:30 p.m.
• Criminal vandalism: Block 5400 Caminito Herminia, 11:00 p.m.

June 1

• Criminal vandalism: 6900 block, La Jolla Scenic Drive South: noon
• Shoplifting : 8800 Block, Villa La Jolla Drive, 5:35 p.m.
• Criminal vandalism: 1000 block Prospect Street, 8:30 p.m.

June 2

• Battery: 3100 block Morning Way, 12:30 a.m.
• Criminal assault with a deadly weapon (not a firearm): 8800 Block, Villa La Jolla Drive, 10:27 a.m.

June 3

• Vehicle break-in/theft: 800 block of Genter Street, 12:30 a.m.
• Vehicle break-in/theft: 1300 block, Park Row, 10 a.m.
• Battery: Block 8200 Paseo del Ocaso, 1:58 p.m.
• Disorderly conduct (alcohol): 600 block Pearl Street, 3:38 p.m.

June 5

• Crime of grand theft in a building: 8500 Block, Villa La Jolla Drive, 5:45 a.m.
• Minor in possession of alcohol: 200 block of Marine Street, 1:44 p.m.
• Residential burglary: Block 2500 Via Barletta, 2 p.m.

June 6

• Criminal vehicle theft: 5200 block La Jolla Boulevard, 9:30 a.m.
• Criminal Assault on an Elderly/Dependent Adult: 2500 block Ardath Road, 10:00 a.m.
• Battery: 7500 block Fay Avenue, 6:30 p.m.
• Criminal vehicle theft: 5100 block La Jolla Boulevard, 10:15 p.m.

June 8

• Criminal vehicle theft: 600 blocks of Tourmaline Street, 5:30 a.m.

—Compiled by Ashley Mackin-Solomon from police and other local reports ◆