Two Separate Trolley Crimes Reported

La Mesa police answered two calls involving trolley stations Saturday—one involving a video recorder stolen from a 16-year-old boy and another in which a 25-year-old woman screamed and sent a would-be robber fleeing.

But a 14-year-old boy from El Cajon was arrested on charges of attempted robbery in the second case and booked into Juvenile Hall, police said.

In the first case, police say they responded at 8:33 p.m. to a delayed report of a robbery at the 70th Street Trolley Station—at 7255 Alvarado Road.

“The 16-year-old male victim reported that he was riding the trolley home when the robbery occurred,” police said in a news release. 

“The westbound trolley was pulling into the 70th Street Trolley Station as the victim got out of his seat to exit the trolley.”

The assailant approached the victim from behind as he began to exit the trolley and grabbed hold of the victim’s video recorder case slung over his shoulder. 

“The victim felt the tug on his video case and immediately grabbed the shoulder strap,” police said.  “The suspect and victim struggled over the property before the victim lost his balance and let go of the video case.  The victim exited the trolley and the suspect remained on the trolley traveling west into San Diego with the victim’s property.” 

The robber was not found and his identity is not known.  The victim was not injured during the robbery.               

The robber was described as a light-skinned black male, 20-25 years, 5 feet 11, 160 pounds with a medium build and was clean shaven.  He was wearing a dark shirt, dark jeans and black shoes, police said.      

About 8:47 p.m. Saturday, La Mesa police officers were flagged down by a citizen who reported an attempted robbery, police said.

“The citizen provided a suspect description to the officers and told them the suspect was last seen walking towards the La Mesa Trolley Station … at 8270 La Mesa Blvd. 

“Officers located the suspect near the trolley platform.  The suspect did not follow commands and ran from the officers.  The suspect was caught after a short foot pursuit. 

The female victim said she was riding the trolley to La Mesa to go to work.  As she exited the trolley she began walking towards La Mesa Boulevard and noticed the suspect on the trolley platform, police said. 

The victim continued walking and in the 8300 block of La Mesa Boulevard she was approached from behind by the suspect.  The suspect pressed an unknown object against the victim’s side and demanded her property. 

“The victim responded by yelling for help as she backed away from the suspect toward the street,” police said.  “The suspect abandoned the robbery attempt and walked away towards the La Mesa Trolley Station.”

The victim was not injured during the robbery attempt, police said.   

Anyone with information on the first case is asked 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 (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.