Public Safety

East County Crime Log: Freeway Pursuit, Serial Flasher, School Threats

By Santee Pulse Staff ยท Published February 17, 2026 ยท 3 min read

Source: Patch

East County Crime Log: Freeway Pursuit, Serial Flasher, School Threats
Photo: San Diego County Sheriff's Department

Law enforcement agencies across San Diego County handled several significant incidents this week, according to a Patch crime roundup.

A wrong-way driver was identified following a police pursuit that shut down a stretch of Interstate 15 in San Diego. In a separate incident, authorities are seeking the driver of a white Mercedes-Benz SUV involved in a deadly hit-and-run.

In Oceanside, a semi-truck driver was rescued after the tractor portion of the vehicle was left dangling roughly 70 feet above the ground over a bridge. An e-bike rider was also found with critical injuries on an Oceanside roadway, though it remains unclear whether other vehicles were involved.

A suspected serial flasher in Escondido was arrested. Hector Santa Maria Toledo, 49, is accused of flashing underage victims while seated in a parked car near Orange Glen High School. In Poway, a student was detained after making threats at a middle school.

Separately, 52 parking pay stations in Balboa Park were vandalized โ€” suspects spray-painted the machines, shattered their glass screens, and placed a sticky substance on keypads.

Yolanda Marodi, 54, the wife of slain Cal Fire Capt. Rebecca "Becky" Marodi, will stand trial for murder.

Law enforcement officials remind residents to report suspicious activity via the Sheriff's non-emergency line at 858-565-5200, or by calling 911 for emergencies.

Source: Patch Santee Crime Log

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