🌱 How a Rancho San Diego deputy’s plate reader alert stopped a carjacker
Rancho San Diego, California Patch AM: a 4 min readGreetings Rancho San Diego! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How a Rancho San Diego deputy’s plate reader alert stopped a carjacker
- Rancho San Diego crime team’s check in Spring Valley ends with three arrests
- How Rancho San Diego deputies used drones to help catch an arson suspect
Today's riddle: What do sweet potatoes wear to bed? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Friday: An a.m. shower; partly sunny, with a high of 85 and low of 62 degrees.
- Saturday: Areas of low clouds, then sun, temps: high: 84, low: 60.
- Sunday: Areas of low clouds, then sun, with a high of 85 and low of 60 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Carjacking suspect arrested after plate reader tracks stolen SUV (sandiegocountynews.com) — A Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s deputy used an automated license plate reader alert to locate a carjacked SUV near Jamacha and Sweetwater roads in Spring Valley, leading to the arrest of a woman suspected in an armed Lakeside carjacking. Deputies credit the ALPR system with helping quickly find the vehicle and remove a potentially dangerous suspect from the community. 
• Three arrested in Spring Valley for felonies including drug sales and stolen IDs (eastcountymagazine.org) — Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s deputies, working with Lemon Grove counterparts, arrested three men during a felony probation compliance check at a Spring Valley home, uncovering suspected meth, stolen IDs, and ammunition. All three were booked on multiple felony charges, highlighting active crime suppression efforts just minutes from Rancho San Diego neighborhoods.
• Sheriff's Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Program -Programa de Sistemas Aéreos No Tripulados (UAS) de la Oficina del Alguacil - (thevistapress.com) — Deputies from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Station helped track down an arson suspect in nearby Spring Valley using the department’s drone program, underscoring how UAS technology now supports local patrol work. The article explains how the Sheriff’s UAS team has grown, how deputies are trained and certified, and how drones are used alongside helicopters and firefighters to improve safety and emergency response countywide.
📸 Around Rancho San Diego
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📣 Rancho San Diego Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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Summer Teaching Institute 2026
California State University San Marcos KEL 2413
9:00 am -
Car Show Prep parking lot
Veterans Association of North County 1617 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92058
2:00 pm -
La Mesa | FREE DEMO CLASS →
Wagner's School of Music, 8060 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa
4:00 pm -
Groove DanceFloor™ →
Blossom & Bloom Creative Arts, 7400 El Cajon Blvd Suite 101-102, La Mesa
6:00 pm -
Clue: The Play →
Theatre for Young Professionals, 7960 University Ave Suite 240, La Mesa
7:00 pm -
Movies in The Park Series →
Harry Griffen Park, 9550 Milden St, La Mesa
7:30 pm -
VANC 8th ANNUAL CAR SHOW
Veterans Association of North County 1617 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92058 -
Lee Wells first Annual Celebration as Instructor →
Spring Valley Community Center, 8735 Jamacha Blvd, Spring Valley
12:00 pm -
Sundress & Spread: A Charcuterie & Wine Experience →
La Mesa Wine Works, 8167 Center St, La Mesa
1:00 pm -
Mariachi Rodriguez: A Free Concert of Mariachi Music
The Center for World Music La Mesa Public Library, 8074 Allison Avenue, La Mesa, 91942, United States
2:00 pm -
Java Jazz - June 13th — Brew Coffee Spot →
Brew Coffee Spot, 6101 Lake Murray Blvd, La Mesa
3:00 pm -
No bar back/Gentry reception
Veterans Association of North County 1617 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92058
5:00 pm
Friday June 12
Saturday June 13
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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🗞 Nearby News
El Cajon
- Sycuan Cup Raises $100K for Charities (indiangaming.com)
- ‘We have a revenue problem.' Firefighters raise alarm over El Cajon budget cuts (sandiegouniontribune.com)
- Bid on 2026 Timber Harvest: Logging & Trucking in (californiabids.com)
Spring Valley
- Drone leads deputies to arson suspect after fire threatens Spring Valley homes in San Diego County (dailydispatch.com)
Santee
- The Heritage Steakhouse Names Executive Chef Ahead Of Santee Opening (patch.com)
Ok Rancho San Diego! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Yammies! (Thank you Lynda S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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