On October 13, 2011 at about 10:15 AM, La Mesa Police were notified that a U-Haul truck was left abandoned at the curb in the 8000 block of University Avenue, near the front of the police station.  There is no legal parking on that street and witnesses observed the driver run away from the truck carrying two duffel bags.

Due to the suspicious nature of the circumstances, La Mesa Police blocked traffic on University Avenue between Spring Street and Baltimore Drive.  A bomb sniffing canine from the Harbor Police and the San Diego Sheriff’s Department Bomb Arson team responded to the scene, to ensure the safety of officers approaching the truck.

Meanwhile, the driver of the truck was found and detained four blocks away in the 8400 block of University Ave.  Further investigation revealed that the truck was stolen on October 8, 2011 from Santee.  The driver was arrested for Auto Theft and Possession of Stolen Property.  Nothing related to explosives was found in the truck and the street was re-opened at 1:00 PM.

Person Arrested:  Damian Payne (35), transient.