A pursuit Saturday night of an armed robber from the parking lot of Pechanga Casino in Temecula ended at the entrance to Harrah’s with one man wounded, two dead, including a security guard shot in the head, and the robber, who committed suicide.
The incident occurred about 9:30 p.m. Saturday.
Several Harrah’s employees reacted heroically to try to get the assailant under control.
A security guard, Raymond Ives, tackled the assailant, who shot him in the head. Another Harrah’s employee, a valet, Jeremy Tessler, was shot in the leg trying to stop the attacker. Several other employees also risked their lives.
The incident began at a GNC store in Temecula, which was robbed by the suspect.
The suspect fled in a Volvo with Texas license plates.
Later on Saturday night, Riverside Sheriff’s Deputy Anthony Renick stopped the Volvo in the parking lot of Pechanga Casino. The driver shot the deputy in the forearm and fled.
Police in the area were alerted and San Diego Deputy Sheriff Anthony Radicia found himself following the suspect’s car.
He ordered the car to pull over and a shoot-out began in the parking lot.
The suspect again fled in his car and stopped right in front of the casino, fled the car and ran into the casino where he encountered Raymond Ives, who wrestled him to the ground, but was shot in the head. Jeremy Tessler, a valet, was then shot in the leg.
The shooter ran, pursued by Deputy Radicia. Gunshots were fired and the shooter was shot in the leg.
The shooter fled a short distance, pointed the pistol at his own head, and killed himself. He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
Raymond F. Ives was transported to Palomar Hospital by “Life-Flight.” Jeremy Tessler was transported by ambulance to Palomar Medical Center.
Ives, 61, is a resident of Oceanside. He was a highly decorated Vietnam veteran, who retired after 27 years with the U.S. Marines as a sergeant major.
According to Sue Duffy, a spokesman for Harrah’s, the casino shut down on Saturday night and reopened about 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Asked about the security guard, Raymond Ives, Duffy said, “His co-workers all have said the most positive things about him. He was very friendly, very well known.”
A private memorial is planned by the casino for Ives’s co-workers, said Duffy.
Thirteen members of the VC planning group hammered out the group’s positions on seven issues concerning General Plan 2020 at a special meeting April 9.
Some people were surprised at the cordiality of the meeting, considering the disagreements that have characterized recent meetings.
The group voted to reduce the County’s proposal to increase density in the North Country Town.
“We didn’t buy the County’s density increase,” Chairman Larry Glavinic commented.
He told The Roadrunner that the County still appears to be relying on “urban design methodology for rural areas. When you start pointing out flaws they only hear what they want to hear.”
As for some of the County’s other assumptions, including the downzoning of many properties away from the center of town, Glavinic said, “I believe we are still ground-truthing, or validating the assumptions, and cannot support them carte blanche. There’s still lots of changes that need to be implemented even with a wonderful equity vehicle.”
An “equity vehicle” is another name for a method of compensating property owners for losing the ability to develop their land.
Most planning group members have committed to the proposition that they won’t support the final County map unless an equity mechanism is included in the mix. The planning group has taken two votes on this issue previously.
Lael Montgomery, who often votes the opposite from Glavinic, commented, “Surprise! When we get concrete, VCCPG members actually DO agree on some critical issues. I think the pattern of unanimous votes on the 2020 density proposals at the last meeting reflects the general agreement that often lurks under our occasional colorful barking at one another. After all, Larry Glavinic is probably right when he says that our notorious barking IS our community character.”
The group approved a motion by Jim Yerdon to reduce the County’s proposed higher densities west of Miller Road, north of Via Valencia (and its imaginary westerly extension), and east of Wilhite (and its imaginary southerly extension to VC Road) back to 1 dwelling units/2 acres.
The vote was 12 in favor: (Ron Adair, Craig Adams, Robert Hancock, Eric Laventure, Lael Montgomery, Carol Prime, Rich Rudolf, Mel Schuler, Frank Shoemaker, Sandy Smith, Andy Washburn, Jim Yerdon). Larry Glavinic stepped down because of the proximity of his property to the proposed changes.
The planners also voted on proposals by the County staff that reflected the wishes of the Southern node businesses.
They voted 12-1 (Rudolf voting no) to ask for more residential zoning in the South Node and support the workshop on the Country Town, which may include additional Commercial.
They voted 10-2 (Mel Schuler and Frank Shoemaker voting no) to ask for up to 263 affording housing units within a mile of three intersections: VC & Woods Valley Roads, VC and Lilac Roads and VC & Cole Grade Roads.
They voted 11-0 for a motion by Rich Rudolf to leave the zoning on the parcels across from VC Community Hall 1 du/2 acres. The County has proposed to upzone the land to 4.3 du/acre).
Some members felt that higher density here would impact the pristine canyon that starts just north of the parcel. They also felt that the land is a good place for a public park or open space preserve.
The group also passed a motion by Rudolf to ask the County’s advise on whether the group can designate this 32 acres as public or quasi-public land.
The group voted 8-3 (Lael Montgomery, Carol Prime, Rich Rudolf voting no) for a motion by Robert Hancock to request that Jack Dyer’s parcel and land north of it be zoned 1 du/4 acres.
The County will hold a workshop June 7, at the VC Library to discuss the issue of the Country Town (time to be determined).
Dr. Montgomery concluded, “We'll never agree on every point. BUT then, diversity is the real strength of our community, I think. We all come from very different places, different experiences, different ideas. The same old Growth-No Growth boxes are ridiculously inadequate. So I think a lot of PG members are thrilled when we move beyond debate into dialogue because we can all grow from hearing what the other guy thinks. Yeah team!'
The District Attorney’s office has declined to prosecute the owners of the Ward Egg Ranch, which was allegedly involved in the killing of live chickens by illegally feeding them into a wood chipping machine several weeks ago.
The chickens were being destroyed as part of the euthanizing of birds infected with the Exotic Newcastle Disease. Killing the chickens is not illegal. Chipping them is.
According to Lt. Mary Kay Gagliardo of Animal Services, who initially investigated the chicken chipping incident back in March, “We got word from the District Attorney’s office that they are going to decline to prosecute the brothers [who own the ranch].
According to Denise Vedder, public information officer with the District Attorney’s office, “The reason we declined to prosecute was that the owners of the ranch [William and Arie Wilgenburg] sought the advice of a veterinarian working under contract with the USDA. For criminal charges to be issued, someone has to show malice,” she said.
The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, under whose orders the chicken chipping may have been done, is doing its own investigation of the matter, according to Lt. Gagliardo.
That investigation is being pursued by a veterinarian from the USDA, she said.
“They did tell us that the veterinarian who directed the brothers to do the chipping has been dealt with,” Lt. Gagliardo told The Roadrunner.
That veterinarian, according to Vedder, is a Dr. Cutler. As she explained it, “All the ranches involved in the Newcastle Disease are assigned a veterinarian by the USDA to monitor their activities.”
The VC planning group Monday night heard from nine of the ten candidates for two vacancies on the group.
The first hour of the meeting was devoted to hearing the candidates talk about themselves, what their vision is for VC, whether they have time for the job and what they think of the current community plan.
Their backgrounds were provided in resumes given to the planning group’s nominating committee.
Mike Morasco
Morasco has lived in VC for ten years. A physical therapist, Morasco has practiced in North County since 1984.
Morasco was elected three times to the Escondido High School Board, and as a result served on many committees and community groups. While on the board he participated in planning Valley Center High School.
He also served on the Architectural Committee and board of his home owners’ association.
Oliver Smith
Smith, an electrical engineer, has lived in VC for two years. He is a member of the VC Selective Service board, and is a member of the board of Heart of God Ministries in Rancho Bernardo. Smith told the group “We in VC need to have control over our own destiny, but we also must acknowledge reality. Growth is inevitable and best we can do is direct it.” He added, “GP2020 planning is too harsh and not reasonable in many areas” and “The roads are dangerous. People are dying. We need to keep the pressure on to get the upgrades completed.”
Terry A. Van Koughnett
Van Koughnett and his family have lived in VC for eight years. He is the general manage of a manufacturing company in Poway.
Last year he was the chairman of the Halloween Carnival and has served on the VC Teacher Parent Club for six years. He has also served on the VC Planning Group’s road subcommittee and assisted in the road median planning survey.
Dee Casparian
Casparian, originally from New Zealand, has lived in VC for five years. She is a teacher and speech therapist. She has previously volunteered on the Traffic Safety Committee in Atascadero and read newspapers and books on the radio for the print handicapped.
Susan C. Herigstad
Herigstad, has been with Mission Viejo Company/Shea Properties/Homes for 28 years and has been involved with the development of Mission Viejo and Ailison Viejo.
She has experience in running a homeowners association and in CC&R enforcement.
Robert Rutherford
Rutherford has lived in VC for seven and a half years. He told the group, “The enjoyment and dissatisfaction of people of San Diego County regarding all of these changes have been directly reflected in articles written n the Letters to the Editor section of the San Diego Union and Tribune newspapers. Currently, I see the same types of letters appearing in the VC’s own Roadrunner. I feel that the community’s opinions should be embraced as education about what the people of Valley Center really want, as opposed to seeing these different views as a threat.”
Van Lynch
Lynch, a 31 year resident is an avocado and flower farmer. He is also a senior planner with the City of Carlsbad, where he reviews residential subdivisions, development subdivisions and buildings.
He told the group, “I know my knowledge of, and experience, in Valley Center would be an asset to the community and I look forward to serving on the board. if eel that I would be objective in implementing the County’s General Plan, whichever it may be, and the Community Plan for Valley Center.
Don Martin
Martin, a high school ag teacher for 27 years and last year’s Citizen of the Year, wrote to the group, “The work you do is of critical value to the community. Valley Center is i transition from long-time farming and retirement living to a growing, upscale community that wants to hold onto its agricultural roots, provide safe, friendly neighborhoods, and find some solution to the crazy traffic that will only increase in future.” He added, “All of us who enjoy living in VC ought to give back to the community. That is the reason I am applying for appointment to the planning group.”
Jon Vick
Jon Vick is a self-employed healthcare consultant who has lived in VC with his wife since 1998. He has served as president of the Pauma Valley Pilots Assn. since March 2001. He is serving on the VC GP2020 Land Use Subgroup and the VCCPG GP2020 Subcommittee. Last year he helped form the VC Road Safety Subcommittee which worked with residents, business owners and the County to modify the design of VC Road with the aim of making it safer and more attractive.
Vick said he “believes that planning decisions should proactively support the community’s stated goals of retaining rural community character and that community design guidelines should be incorporated in new developments and enforced.”
Anthony Blazej
Blazej, who was not at Monday’s meeting, is president of Aurora Systems, an information technology consulting company.
Blazej was director of operations at the National Industrial Information Infrastructure Protocols consortium, a project funded by DARPA (The Dept. of Defense research agency) and help various management positions at IBM.
He is active in local religious. social and charitable organizations.
Richard “Dick” Nagel
Nagel, a VC resident since 1989, is a retired aeronautical engineer who worked at McDonnell Douglas Aircraft for 37 years. he is now a small commercial flower grower. He has served on the El Segundo City Council and was during that time President of the Los Angeles County League of Cities Assn.. He is currently secretary/treasurer of the California Protea Assn.
He told the group, “I am deeply concerned with the direction of development in Valley Center and feel that I could contribute in a positive way.”
The planning group will pick two from this group at its May meeting. Those names will be forwarded to Fifth District Supervisor Bill Horn for his approval.
The Valley Roadrunner
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