Page 4 - July 21, 2011


Solid Police Work Nets Suspects in Carlsbad Homicide


It was April Fool’s Day, April 1st, 2011. The time was 1:05am. Carlsbad Police offi- cers responded to an assault with a deadly weapon call in the 3500 block of Valley Street, Carlsbad. When they arrived on scene they found the victim who was pronounced deceased at the residence. The suspects fled the scene prior to the offi- cers arrival.


Carlsbad Police detectives began their investigation into this homicide, quickly securing a search warrant for a motel room (Motel 6) located at 3708 Plaza Drive, Oceanside. The next day, April 2nd, at about 4am, Carlsbad Police SWAT officers served the search war- rant and arrested Grant Hunter and Mercedes Yorba. Hunter and Yorba were booked for Homicide, Residential Robbery, Residential Burglary, and Conspiracy. Suspect Gary Gomez was also arrested and booked into the Vista Detention Facility for Accessory, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and


Local News


Possessesion of Drug Paraphernalia. The Carlsbad Police Department continued their investigation in an attempt to identify and arrest any addi- tional suspect(s) associated with this homicide.


As part of the ongoing homi- cide investigation, Carlsbad Police, with the assistance of the San Diego Police Department, contacted sus- pects Joseph Verkade, Heather Strauch, and Michael Gault at about 4:45pm, on April 11th, regarding the same homicide in the 2300 block of Ron Way, San Diego. Thay also secured a state search warrant for that resi- dence. A search of the resi- dence revealed evidence associ- ated with this homicide.


Suspects Heather Strauch and Michael Gault were arrested for Homicide, Residential Robbery, and Conspiracy. Suspect Joseph Verkade was arrested for Homicide, Residential Robbery, Residential Burglary, and Conspiracy. All of the suspects were booked into the Vista Detention Facility.


But the investigation still was not complete.


On July 16, 2011, at 11am, Carlsbad Police


called me Wednesday, less than a day after dropping my car off, to tell my car was done, was being washed and I could pick it up after 2pm. As I drove into the Service Department bay and was greeted by yet another smiling staffer, I told him, “I really don’t want to turn this loaner in. This is some car!”


Man About Town


I’ve had a super experience to share with you. About a month ago I bought a pre-owned Toyota Avalon from a great salesman and even greater per- son, Randy Knight, with Lexus Escondido. A great car at a fair price, drives like a dream, smooth, amiable transaction. A day ago I found a minor cosmetic problem with the upholstery in the car, took it into the Lexus Escondido


My dealings with Lexus Escondido


absolutely superb! Every single person there is service oriented, constantly has a smile on their face, and is anxious to please. Plus, the facility is like visitng a brand new palace.


facility with superior people.


love doing business with them. They set an example of how all businesses should treat their clients! (And, they’re dog friendly)!


I’m not sure but I think Pastor •••••


A lovely I


have been


Service Department, dealt with Matt Coleman, the Service Reconditioning Manager (that’s his official title; I just call him ‘the guy with the great big smile). First, they gave me a loaner. A brand new Lexus! With GPS, Sirius Radio, all kinds of neat bells and whistles.


Detectives were advised that Mexican authorities had three US citizens who were being deported from Mexico. With the assistance of US Marshal and US Custom agents, sus- pects Jason Breer and Marilyn March were transferred into their custody. Carlsbad Police detectives responded and con- tacted suspects Breer and March. Suspect Breer was later arrested for Homicide, Residential Robbery, Conspiracy and Parole hold. Suspect March was arrested for Accessory and Parole hold. Both suspects were booked into the Vista Detention Facility.


The third individual, Thomas Burgess was released after determining he had no involvement in the homicide. There are no outstanding sus- pects in this case.


Bottom line: One homicide, six suspects in custody, all as a result of a continuing investi- gation.


Police Standoff Results in Suicide


A 21-year-old Escondido man commmitted suicide by shot-


Dick Huls has set the record for being the most popular speaker at the Hidden Valley Kiwanis Club. He has been invited back at least six, possibly seven, times to speak to the club over the past two years. On several occasions he spoke of bees and bee-keeping.


In Secondly, they


additioin to his duties as a man of the cloth, he is a profession- al bee keeper. Sounds like kind of a mundane talk, doesn’t it. Don’t you believe it! Pastor Huls had the club asking ques- tions left, right and center. He is also the Chaplain for the Escondido Police Department and has spoken to us several times about that function. Indeed, he touched on elements of that service in his talk last Tuesday, as well as his “Dial a Prayer” service. He’s offered that for the past 48 years. People who need inspira- tion or prayer call that number and Pastor Huls responds with a reading from Scripture, a comment on the problems of the day, and an invitation to contact him if the caller needs additional help.


In a very moving story, he relat- ed how an elderly lady had called his “Dial A Prayer” line for approximately 20 years. Of


gun after holding off San Diego County Deputy Sheriff ’s Crisis Negotiating Team for about five hours. The man was in a home in the 700 block of Stanley Avenue, an unincorporated area of Escondido.


Sheriff ’s deputies arrived at about 7pm when they were called on a report of a suicidal man. Upon arrival they heard the man talking on the phone in angry tones. Deputies from the Crisis Negotiation Team were able to talk to him on the phone but he continued being angry and fired his shotgun in the air several times.


the shotgun on himself, outside, on the rear patio, shortly after midnight. He was declared dead at the scene.


He subsequently turned


His name has not been released pending notification of next of kin. Several homes in the area were evacuated during the stand- off. The man was alone in lthe home.


Escondido Police Officer’s Association Holds “Cops for Kids” Charity Golf Tournament


Office Mike Garcia, Vice President of the EPOA


‘Local News’ Cont. on Page 11


late, she was having more prob- lems than usual and requested a home visit from Pastor Huls. Upon his arrival her caregiver answered the door. Pastor Huls introduced himself and the housekeeper’s jaw dropped. “Oh, Pastor Huls, you don’t know how many times you’ve saved my life. I was so depressed several times I had thought about taking my own life. I called your “Dial A Prayer” line and you inspired me to keep on living.”


Pastor Huls admitted it was a very emotional experience for him, as well as the housekeeper. If anyone is looking for a


Pastor Dick Huls, standing, Hidden Valley Kiwanis President Elect Dave Geary, seated


superb program speaker, I strongly recommend Pastor


‘Man on the Town’ Cont. on Page 5


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