San Diego Police Department

Hot Prowl Suspect Spotted Near Carmel Valley Homes

The suspect is accused of entering a woman's home on Quarter Mile Drive, uninvited.

Police officers were called to a neighborhood in Carmel Valley Wednesday night after an unknown man allegedly entered a woman’s home using a hidden spare key, only to walk out after the woman repeatedly yelled at him. 

According to the San Diego Police Department (SDPD), the hot prowl suspect apparently used a key hidden under the door mat to open the door to the victim’s home on Quarter Mile Drive at around 8:40 p.m., while she was inside.

The woman saw the man standing at her door, looking inside, and yelled at him to go away. The suspect mentioned something about selling something, police said. The woman yelled at him again and he walked away. 

Officers searched the area but could not find the suspect immediately following the incident. The man, in his 20s, is described as 5 feet 10 inches tall to 6 feet tall. He weighs approximately 160 to 170 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen dressed in a button down shirt with a collar, a tie and dark pants. 

SDPD Officer Billy Hernandez said a few other residents in the area reported similar incidents at their homes around this time Wednesday. Those cases -- in the 13100 block of Kellam Court; 400 block of Bonain Street; 900 block of Thomas Street -- were reportedly linked to aggressive solicitors, Hernandez said. It is unknown if all incidents are related.

NBC 7 spoke with Carmel Valley residents about the case, including a neighbor who said officers had scoured the area by ground and via helicopter.

Another resident said someone had been knocking aggressively on doors, acting as a solicitor. When one resident didn’t open the door, the suspect grew frustrated.

The search for the suspect continued Thursday. SDPD's Northern Western Division is investigating. 

Contact Us