Suspected Burglar Found Dead in Sweetwater Reservoir Identified

Officials released the name today of a burglary suspect who died after he dived into the Sweetwater Reservoir to apparently escape authorities.

Ebon Brandt Taylor of San Diego entered a house in the 9000 block of Camino Lago Vista in Spring Valley, which is a few blocks from the Sweetwater Reservoir, about 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office.

San Diego County Sheriff's Sgt. David Pocklington said the victim fled and called 911 after a struggle ensued between him and the suspect. As deputies were en route, Taylor, 31, left the home and escaped into the Sweetwater Reservoir.

Sheriff's personnel searched the area before sending a dive team into the lake. The dive team found the man’s body at about 9 p.m. Tuesday, Pocklington said. The cause of his death is not yet known.

Both the victim and witnesses saw the suspect flee into the reservoir and described his behavior as “irrational” and “bizarre,” leading authorities to suspect he may have been under the influence of drugs, Pocklington said.

City News Service contributed to this report.