San Diego County Crime Stoppers and investigators from the Vista Sheriff’s Station are asking for the public’s help to locate an unknown suspect wanted in connection with an armed robbery that occurred in unincorporated Vista.
On December 3, 2018, a San Marcos resident met with two subjects in the unincorporated area of Vista, near Gopher Canyon Road, to complete a sale of a used cell phone. The sale was negotiated over a popular phone app between the victim and potential buyer. When the victim arrived at the agreed meeting location, suspect #1 entered the victim’s vehicle, took the victim’s keys from the ignition, and pointed a handgun at the victim. Suspect #1 demanded the victim’s phone, wallet, and any other valuables. During the course of the robbery Suspect #1 noticed the victim’s 4 and 5-year-old children in the backseat of the vehicle playing on their own cell phones. Suspect #1 stole their phones also before exiting the vehicle.
Suspect #2 opened the victim’s trunk and stole recently purchased gifts. The suspects eventually left the location with the victim’s keys, discarding them a distance away.
Sheriff’s Detectives from Vista’s Street Narcotics and Gang Detail, along with Vista’s Gang Enforcement Team, identified Suspect #1 as 27-year-old suspected gang member Brian Chase. Chase was arrested on December 12, 2018 and a search of his apartment was conducted where detectives found stolen property from the robbery. Brian Chase is facing a trial and is being held without bail at the Vista Detention Facility.
Suspect #2 has not been identified. He is described as a Hispanic male.
Anyone with information regarding the identity of Suspect #2 is asked to call the San Diego County Sheriff’s Vista Station at (760) 940-4551 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477. Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in this case. Information on how to send anonymous emails and mobile app tips can be found on our website www.sdcrimestoppers.org.• Media inquiries about this case can be directed to Sergeant Nathan Rowley at (760) 940-4861 or Nathan.Rowley@sdsheriff.org.
• Media inquiries about Crime Stoppers can be directed to Deputy Adriana Uribe at (619) 531-1547 or Adriana.Uribe@sdsheriff.org or Officer Mark Herring at (619) 531-1500 or msherring@pd.sandiego.gov .
