Hospital Bomb Threat Proved Bogus, but 2 Arrested in Burglary, Mugging

La Mesa police caught up with a home burglary suspect and a youngster accused of stealing a bike near Helix Charter High School in separate incidents in recent days.

Details also were shared on a bogus bomb threat called in to Sharp Grossmont Hospital and a reported rape attempt on Seneca Place.

According to police Lt. Dan Willis, a 19-year-old man named Justine Rafanan was arrested about 4:15 p.m. Monday at the corner of state Route 54 and Briarwood Avenue.

“Officers responded to a call of a residential burglary in progress in the 8500 block of Rockledge Dr.,” Willis said Wednesday.

“The suspect and suspect car fled as police were arriving.  Officers caught up to the car (there was not a pursuit) at 54 and Briarwood and made a vehicle stop.  Justine Rafana from San Diego was positively identified by a witness and was arrested for burglary.”

Two days earlier, Saturday, a robbery took place at 8:06 p.m. in the 7300 block of University Avenue.

 “Two juvenile suspects (Hispanic and black males about 15-16 years old) forcibly stole a bicycle being ridden by another juvenile about the same age on University Avenue near Helix High School,” Willis said.

The victim was not injured, and officers were able to find the stolen bike a few blocks away and arrested one of the suspects—a 15-year-old black male from San Diego, he said.

The investigation was continuing to identify and arrest the second suspect, Willis said.

A bomb threat was reported at Sharp Grossmont Hospital at 1:35 p.m. Friday, Willis confirmed.

“A male (about middle-aged sounding) called Sharp Grossmont Hospital and said only that there was a bomb in the outpatient Behavioral Health Unit,” Willis said.  “Officers conducted a walk-through of the area and did not find anything suspicious.  The area was not evacuated and business continued.”

And about 6:10 p.m. Monday, police responded to a call about a possible rape attempt on Seneca Place near Parks Avenue in west La Mesa.

“This was investigated as a sexual battery in violation of 243.4(d) [of the penal code],” Willis said.

“A 17-year-old female was temporarily staying in the home with her adult cousin in the 7600 block of Seneca Place.  The adult cousin’s boyfriend reportedly, when alone [with the girl], grabbed the victim’s hand and placed it over his crotch area over his clothing.”

The boy fled, Willis said. An investigation of this case is continuing,  he said, and there has not been an arrest.