A Series of Burglaries Plague San Diego

In the mid-1980s, San Diego experienced a surge in commercial burglaries that left law enforcement agencies scrambling for answers. Between 1985 and 1986, organized groups targeted office buildings, employing a straightforward yet effective method: they shattered windows with rocks to gain entry. Once inside, these burglars focused on stealing valuable office equipment, notably IBM Selectric typewriters, which were highly sought after during that era. The frequency and boldness of these crimes created an atmosphere of unease among business owners and residents alike.

The Fateful Morning of May 14, 1986

On the early morning of May 14, 1986, at approximately 6:10 a.m., Ed LeDuc, an unarmed security officer employed by Sharp Hospital, was performing his routine patrols. His duties that day included inspecting the corporate office building located at 3131 Berger Avenue. Unbeknownst to him, this routine check would lead him into a perilous situation. As LeDuc entered the premises, he inadvertently interrupted an ongoing burglary. The intruders, caught in the act, reacted with unexpected and brutal violence....Read More