SAN DIEGO: – Three people have been arrested in connection with a series of wallet thefts at shopping malls, police said yesterday.

At least 10 women were victimized over a four-month period, and investigators say they hope more victims come forward.

Two women, ages 19 and 20, and a 52-year-old man were taken into custody June 18 on suspicion of forgery, robbery, theft and elder abuse, San Diego police said.

The crime spree took place between December and April and involved mostly older women – ranging in age from 70 to 88 – who were shopping in large retail stores such as Wal-Mart and Target and in malls throughout the county including ones in La Mesa, Chula Vista and National City, police said.

One victim was in her 30s and one victim was in her 50s.

The thieves would operate in pairs or as a trio and would distract the women by asking questions related to baby items because the 19-year-old was pregnant, police said. She has since given birth.

While the victims were occupied and looking elsewhere, one of the robbers would steal their wallets from their purses. The victim's credit cards would be used for several hours after they were taken to make purchases at restaurants and gas stations and were then thrown away, police said.

Detectives are asking anyone with information to call (619) 516-3000.–D.B.

Man shoots at tow driver repossessing his vehicle

SPRING VALLEY: A man was arrested yesterday morning after he shot at a tow truck driver who was about to repossess his vehicle, sheriff's officials said.

The man was on Dale Avenue near Kenora Drive in Spring Valley just after 9:30 when he fired at the truck, officials said.

The shooter took off and was arrested about 20 minutes later by California Highway Patrol officers. He was taken into custody without incident. The tow truck driver was not injured.–D.B.

11 detained after driver flees Border Patrol agents

JACUMBA: A driver suspected of transporting and smuggling illegal immigrants into the United States was arrested yesterday after authorities used a spike strip to stop his vehicle.

Eleven people, including the driver, were detained about 1:30 p.m. after a pursuit that lasted about 15 minutes on eastbound Interstate 8 near Jacumba, said Jason Rodgers, a Border Patrol agent.

The vehicle was disabled by the spike strips but its driver drove over the side of the road trying to elude agents a second time, Rodgers said.

No one was hurt.

Everyone in the vehicle was detained. Rodgers said they were being held while agents determine their nationality and residency status.–A.M.

ACCIDENT WATCH

Man accidentally shot during target practice

SOUTH COUNTY: A man shot himself in the lower abdomen during target practice yesterday afternoon, sheriff's officials said.

The man and a friend were discharging their guns near mile marker 8.5 on Otay Lakes Road, east of Chula Vista. The man was hit about 4 p.m. either when a bullet ricocheted or when the gun accidentally discharged, sheriff's officials said.

The unidentified man was taken to a nearby skydiving facility, where he was taken by helicopter to a hospital. Information on his condition was not available last night.

It is illegal to discharge weapons in that area, sheriff's officials said. The Sheriff's Department is investigating the incident.–J.L.J.

COURT WATCH

Mother, son convicted of selling pipes for drugs

SAN DIEGO COURTS: A mother and son convicted of selling pipes used to smoke crack and methamphetamine were sentenced yesterday for a string of misdemeanor crimes.

Joandark Kassab, 56, owner of ABC Smoke Shop in Mount Hope, was placed on five years' probation. Her son, Steve Kassab, 37, the store manager and clerk, was sentenced to two years and six months in County Jail.

In April, a San Diego Superior Court jury found both defendants guilty of 23 counts of furnishing or possessing drug paraphernalia. Prosecutors said the Kassabs sold the pipes to undercover narcotics officers and customers in July 2006 and December 2007.

Judge Howard Shore said yesterday that even though the defendants had posted a sign in the store stating that the items were “for tobacco use only,” it was clear that their primary use was for illegal drugs.

The judge sentenced Steve Kassab to jail time after noting that the defendant had been defiant and indicated that he would not comply with the terms of probation. The judge placed the mother on probation, stating that her participation in the crimes was “quite limited.” –D.L.

After 2 hung juries, man pleads guilty in slaying

NORTH COUNTY COURTS: After two hung juries within the past year, a man was sentenced to six years in state prison yesterday for killing an Escondido gang member in 2007.

Matthew Darnell Miller, 27, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, a prosecutor said. He was sentenced in Vista Superior Court by Judge Daniel Goldstein.

Miller was accused of fatally shooting Pedro David Gutierrez, 23, on May 24, 2007, outside an Escondido apartment complex on Grand Avenue near Rose Street.

Gutierrez's cousin, Vanessa Avila, 23, addressed Miller before the sentencing. “I don't know how you can live with yourself,” she said. “It looks like you have no remorse.”

Prosecutors had originally charged Miller with murder, but two juries could not reach a verdict.–M.R.

Staff writers Debbi Baker, Angelica Martinez, Jose Luis Jimenez, Dana Littlefield and Matthew Rodriguez contributed to this report.