CIRCLE K ROBBERS HIT POLE WITH GETAWAY CAR; LA MESA POLICE SEEK SMALL WHITE CAR WITH DAMAGE AND YELLOW PAINT ON DRIVER’S SIDE
September 4, 2011 (La Mesa) – Yesterday at 3:59 a.m., La Mesa Police responded to an armed robbery at the Circle K store, 8899 La Mesa Blvd. Two Hispanic male suspects reportedly held up the clerk at gunpoint with a black, semi-automatic weapon, then fled on foot eastbound on Grossmont Blvd. A witness told police that he saw a small white compact car leaving the area at a high rate of speed with headlights off. The car, whose occupants matched the robbery suspect descriptions, struck a pole. The clerk told officers he was in the back of the store doing stock work; when he came out he was confronted by two suspects who were standing at the cash register. One of the suspects pointed a gun at him and demanded the cash from the register. After receiving the cash, the suspects fled. The suspects were described as follows: #1-Hispanic male adult, 20-30 yrs., pencil thin mustache, navy blue long sleeve shirt, blue baseball hat and sunglasses. He was wearing rubber gloves. #2-Hispanic male adult, grey hoodie sweat shirt, plaid grey-white-red shirt, blue jeans. The vehicle has damage to the driver’s side and likely has yellow paint from the pole that it struck, according to La Mesa Police. If you have any information on this case, please call the La Mesa Police Department at (619) 667-1400. You may also call Crime Stoppers’ anonymous toll-free tip line (888) 580-TIPS (or www.sdcrimestoppers.com). You can remain anonymous, and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL SPECIALS MAY NOT BE SO SPECIAL
September 4, 2011 (San Diego County) — It’s that time of year again when moms, dads and school kids are looking to stock up on school and office supplies at a bargain price. Shoppers should be alert when paying for these bargains to make sure they are actually getting the lowest advertised prices. From July 2010 to June 2011, inspectors from the County’s Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures (AMW) scanned more than 26,000 items at 1,600 retail stores and found 25 percent of the stores had pricing errors. Inspections showed that overcharges varied with the type of store. While the average overcharge at grocery or convenience stores was 45 cents, it was $3.00 at other retail stores. The overcharges tended to be the same percentage of sales at all stores. Consumers need to be vigilant when buying items at any store, especially higher priced items, to make sure they are not overcharged. “In these challenging economic times, people need to be sure they are paying the lowest posted or advertised price,” said County Supervisor Dianne Jacob. “Back-to-school time is the second busiest shopping season and shoppers must take time to check their receipts.” Since inspectors can’t be in all stores every day, the County inspection program enlists the help of consumers. If there is a discrepancy in the advertised price and the price scanned at the register, shoppers should notify store management before they leave the store or report the violations to the County. The County’s Consumer Confidence Protection Act of 1999 requires a notice to be posted at each check-out stand notifying consumers of their rights. San Diego County was one of the first to adopt such an ordinance. Now, 20 California counties have similar programs. Tips for Shoppers: The check-out display must clearly show customers what prices are being charged as items are scanned. Verify receipts before leaving the store and notify management of any discrepancies. Call 1-888-TRUE SCAN (1-888-878-3722) to report overcharges you could not resolve with the store. Visit www.sdcawm.org for more information.
SEPTEMBER 24 SCREENINGS OFFERED BY GROSSMONT HEALTHCARE DISTRICT
September 4, 2011 (La Mesa) — The Grossmont Healthcare District and the City of La Mesa have jointly announced that Saturday, Sept. 24 will be the date for the 2011 Kids Care Fest, a free family event featuring free health care screenings at Briercrest Park, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on that day. It will be the 10th annual Kids Care Fest event. The public is invited to attend. Organizers expect more than 1,000 children under age 12, including many from low-income and under-insured families, will receive free, potentially life-saving, health care screenings, including hearing, vision and dental vision screenings, from healthcare professionals at the event. In addition, the event will include free medical information from pediatricians, dermatologists and pharmacists at approximately 50 exhibit booths. Additional free, hand-on activities will include arts and crafts, water safety, bungee and astro jumps and pony rides, along with demonstrations and displays from law enforcement, including police and fire officials. Free new reading books, along with coloring books and crayons, will be available for children to take home and keep. A free lunch will be served to children by volunteers with the La Mesa United Methodist Church while supplies last. Also, arts and crafts activities will be provided by church members. Kids Care Fest will be a smoke‑free event. Free parking will be available at Sharp Grossmont Hospital’s Brier Patch campus at 9000 Wakarusa St. and Grossmont Medical Arts Building at 8851 Center Dr. For more information, phone (619) 825‑5050or visit www.grossmonthealthcare.org.