200 Little Italy Residents Displaced Following Felony Vandalism

image
Jeff PowersJeff Powers
Published: 28 Feb, 2019
1 min read

San Diego, CALIF- "He poses a great threat to the community as there are over 200 individuals, citizens in the community of Little Italy who cannot go home; they have essentially lost everything." -Deputy District Attorney Nereida Melgarejo 

Deputy District Attorney Nereida Melgarejo didn't mince words regarding 37-year-old Francisco Morales and his danger to the community.

Morales is accused flooding 1810 State street, a luxurious eight story apartment building in Little Italy. He has pleaded not guilty to dozens of charges.

1810 State Street, Little Italy

The judge raised Morales' bail to one million dollars. Morales faces 45 counts of felony vandalism and 5 counts of assault intended to cause great bodily injury.

Waking Up To A Flood

An estimated 200 residents were displaced after the incident Monday morning.

Police say Morales opened pipes and used a fire hose to flood all eight floors of the building. Water from the hose and pipes made its way down to all floors, including the basement, according to authorities. Multiple witnesses said some residents were waist- or shoulder-deep in water as they tried to leave. Morales was arrested in the lobby of the apartment building that prosecutors said may have to be condemned.

The prosecutor declined to comment on how much prison time Morales could face if convicted, but did note at the defendant’s arraignment that he has no prior criminal record.

IVP Donate

Morales, who’s being held in lieu of $1 million bail, is due back in court March 8 for a readiness conference.

You Might Also Like

Will the Texas Republican Party be Successful Where the Hawaiian Democratic Party Failed?
Will the Texas Republican Party be Successful Where the Hawaiian Democratic Party Failed?
The Republican Party of Texas (RPT) is suing Secretary of State Jane Nelson in an effort to close the state’s primary elections to party members only – a move that the Democratic Party of Hawaii (DPH) tried back in 2013 in its state and failed. ...
05 Sep, 2025
-
3 min read
Supreme Court building.
Retired Attorney Takes Voting Rights Case All the Way to the Supreme Court -- By Himself
The next big voting rights case the Supreme Court of the United States could consider wasn’t filed by the ACLU, the League of Women Voters, Common Cause, or another household name when it comes to voter rights. ...
09 Sep, 2025
-
5 min read
congress flag
Poll: 82% of Americans Want Redistricting Done by Independent Commission, Not Politicians
There may be no greater indication that voters are not being listened to in the escalating redistricting war between the Republican and Democratic Parties than a new poll from NBC News that shows 8-in-10 Americans want the parties to stop....
10 Sep, 2025
-
3 min read