Police Seek Armed Man Who Ordered Couple onto the Ground, Then Fled

Two late-night incidents involving manhunts occupied La Mesa police Sunday, including one in which a resident taking out his trash on Alvarado Road was forced back into his apartment at gunpoint, authorities said.

La Mesa police Sgt. Ray Sweeney said police received a report at 11:09 p.m. of a man brandishing a gun in the 7400 block of Alvarado.

After being backed into his apartment, the resident and his wife obeyed an order to get on the ground,  Sweeney said.

“The suspect appeared to be startled by an unknown source and fled the area on foot,” Sweeney said.

Sweeney said nothing was taken and nobody was injured. The gunman wasn’t found. The hour-long search ended about 12:10 a.m. Monday and included help from the Sheriff’s Department’s ASTREA helicopter.

“The suspect was described as a Hispanic male adult, 20-30 years old with a bandana covering his face,” Sweeney said. “The suspect was wearing a dark colored hoodie and jeans. The weapon was described as a large caliber revolver with a wooden handle.”

At almost the same time, not far away, La Mesa police responded to a report of a vehicle vandalism at the Motel 6 at 7621 Alvarado Rd., Sweeney said.

Two friends walking a dog reported a man with a thin, athletic build running south on Thorne Drive toward El Cajon Boulevard.

A resident of the 5100 block of Comanche Drive and his friend from Carlsbad told a police officer parked on Comanche above Alvarado that they saw a man about 5 foot 9 or 5-10 in his mid- to late 20s run past them, within about seven feet.

A witness told La Mesa Patch: “He looked over at us and kept going.”

The investigations are continuing. Anyone with information is urged to 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 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.