Crime & Safety
Mall Security, Police Team to Nab Burglary Suspects at Grossmont Center
The two men are suspected of breaking into a truck parked near Target and removing property.
A pair of 29-year-old San Diego men were arrested Friday on suspicion of breaking into a truck parked outside the Grossmont Center Mall in La Mesa and taking property from inside.
Mall security spotted a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot at 5500 Grossmont Center Drive about 4:10 a.m. and saw the pair, later identified as Nikolas Aledam and Christopher Simmons, allegedly tamper with a vehicle then speed off in a silver two-door sedan, La Mesa police Sgt. Katy Lynch said.
A search of the area did not turn up the suspects. However, about an hour later, the suspects returned to the mall. Police officers stopped the sedan and took Aledam and Simmons into custody, Lynch said.
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Officers and Target Asset Protection Agents reviewed surveillance video that showed the suspects force their way into a white pickup truck parked near the Target, remove property then drive away, Lynch said.
The victim's property was recovered and both suspects were booked into jail on suspicion of vehicle burglary.
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La Mesa police officers will partner with mall security and other businesses at Grossmont Center to apprehend offenders throughout the holiday shopping season, the sergeant said.
Police ask anyone with information on criminal activity at Grossmont Center Mall to call them at (619) 667-1400 or to contact Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 or at sdcrimestoppers.com.
- City News Service
