A months-long investigation has led to the arrest of a third suspect in connection with several assaults in Lemon Grove.
On Feb. 28, 2026, just after 1:30 a.m., deputies from the Lemon Grove Sheriff’s substation responded to a report of an assault in the 7600 block of Broadway. The victim reported waking up on a bus bench with injuries and no memory of what happened to him. Surveillance video obtained during the investigation showed the victim being punched, kicked, and knocked unconscious by two men.
During the same incident, a woman and her adult daughter were confronted by a third man. That suspect punched the woman several times in the face. When her adult daughter tried to stop the attack, she was also punched. Both female victims later said the suspect pointed a black pistol at them. Fearing for their safety, the women ran from the area and called 9-1-1.
Detectives conducted a thorough investigation, which included reviewing surveillance video.
That led to the identification of the three suspects:
• Joseph Lafaele, 34, for the assault on the male victim
• Leetama Sylvas, 39, for the assault on the male victim
• Eugene Vaimagalo Sotoa, 49, for the assault on the two female victims, as well as the assault on the male victim
Lafaele was arrested on July 29 for violations of 243(d) PC (battery causing serious bodily injury), 186.22(b)(1) PC (participating in a criminal street gang) and 12022.1 PC (committing a felony while on bail). He was booked into the San Diego Central Jail.
Sylvas was arrested on July 29 for violations of 211 PC (robbery), 29800(a) PC (felon in possession of a firearm), 30305 PC (felon in possession of ammunition), 243(d) PC (battery causing serious bodily injury) and 186.22(b)(1) PC (participating in a criminal street gang). He was also booked into the San Diego Central Jail.
On Tuesday, Sept. 22, detectives from the Lemon Grove Sheriff’s substation and Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s station, as well as deputies from the Sheriff’s Community Policing and Problem-Solving Unit, the Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Detail (SED/SWAT) and the Fugitive Task Force, served a search warrant in the 7700 block of High Street in La Mesa.
That’s where Sotoa was taken into custody without incident. He will be booked into the San Diego Central Jail for violations of 245(a)(1) PC (assault with a deadly weapon), 664/187(a) PC (attempted murder) and 186.22(b) PC (participating in a criminal street gang).
Anyone with information about the assault incidents is asked to call the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office at (858) 868-3200. You can remain anonymous by calling San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
