Crime

Deputies Arrest Suspect After East County Trolley Station Carjacking Attempt

By Santee Pulse Staff · Published July 30, 2026 · 3 min read

Source: Patch


A man was arrested Tuesday morning after authorities said he tried to carjack a pickup truck at the San Altos Trolley Station in Lemon Grove, according to Patch, citing the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies responded around 7:50 a.m. to the station at 1787 San Altos Place after a report of a carjacking. Investigators said the victim was sitting in the passenger seat of a 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 when 30-year-old Israel Sanchez entered the driver's seat.

The victim tried to push Sanchez out of the truck, and the two struggled inside the vehicle. During the struggle, Sanchez shifted the truck into drive, causing it to roll forward before he got out and fled on foot, officials said.

Deputies set up a perimeter and found Sanchez a short time later in a driveway in the 1800 block of Lemon Grove Avenue. Patch reported that the victim identified him as the suspect and that no injuries were reported.

Sanchez was arrested on suspicion of carjacking and booked into San Diego Central Jail after being medically cleared for an unrelated matter. Anyone with information was asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 858-868-3200 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

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