Tow Company Robbed During Employee's Funeral

As if the story of the tow truck driver killed on the job wasn't sad enough, a local company attending the victim's funeral was robbed while they were out.

Employees at Sky Towing were gone only five hours, but in that time someone cut a hole in a fence lined with barbed wire and made off with tens of thousands of dollars in property, and even siphoned diesel fuel from trucks.

"My initial thought is how horrible this is," said Amir Elias of Sky Towing.

Elias said he's at a loss as to why anyone would break into the tow yard on the 600 block of Alpine Way and leave with what he estimates to be upwards of $25,000 in tools and property.

"This is beyond cruelty," Elias said. "Anybody that would do this...just outrageous. They have no hearts and are inconsiderate. And, basically, it's a crime."

The worst part, Elias said, is that the burglary happened while they were honoring the life of a fellow employee.

Jabar Issa, 48, of El Cajon was killed while helping a stranded motorist early Saturday on eastbound State Route 78 near Nordahl Road in San Marcos.

He and a colleague were fixing a flat on the right shoulder of the highway when a Ford F-250 truck drove into the shoulder, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Issa was killed immediately. His co-worker suffered serious injuries and the stranded driver received cuts and scrapes. The Ford F-250 driver wasn't hurt.

A convoy of trucks took part in a procession from Escondido along southbound Interstate 15. At the funeral, drivers wore black ribbons on their uniforms.

But it was during that time - between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. - that someone made off with specialty towing items, including straps, cables, chains and portable battery starters worth as much as $400 each. The company said more than 200 gallons of diesel fuel had been siphoned from tanks of four or five of their trucks as well.

Elias said he really has no idea who could be responsible.

"I have no idea, sir. I wish I could tell you, but I don't know anybody that would have that kind of heart to do such a thing," Elias said.

The company is hoping the security cameras across the street may have caught the crooks in action, making it easier to find out who is responsible.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Escondido Police Department at (760) 839-4722.

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