La Mesa police, backed by a San Diego County sheriff's helicopter, spent this morning searching the area near Lake Park Way and Baltimore Drive for what they described only as a “suspicious person,” according to the department. The initial alert did not include any suspect description and did not indicate whether anyone had been stopped or detained.
In a brief advisory posted on X, the La Mesa Police Department said officers and a sheriff's helicopter were looking for a suspicious person in the Lake Park Way and Baltimore corridor, offering a location but little else. According to the La Mesa Police Department, the notice listed the general search area without additional context or identifying details.
LA MESA POLICE AND SHERIFF'S HELICOPTER LOOKING FOR A SUSPICIOUS PERSON NEAR LAKE PARK WAY AND BALTIMORE https://t.co/EuL7asC3C0
— La Mesa PD (@LaMesaPD) February 22, 2026
What We Know So Far
The San Diego County Sheriff's Office operates ASTREA, the aviation unit that provides aerial support to local law enforcement and search operations. The unit flies multiple helicopters equipped with FLIR and other imaging tools that allow deputies to spot people and activity from the air. According to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office, those aircraft are outfitted specifically for law enforcement and search missions.
Recent coverage of the sheriff's aviation program has focused on upgraded helicopters and training intended to boost response speed and sharpen airborne imaging during searches and patrols. NBC 7 San Diego reported last year that the newer aircraft are playing a growing role in backing up local agencies across the region.
Advice For Neighbors
Residents who see suspicious activity or have information that might help the search are urged to call 911 for emergencies. For non-urgent information, the La Mesa Police Department lists its main non-emergency number as 619-667-1400. The city's police page notes the agency handles more than 100,000 calls for service annually and reminds people to reserve emergency lines for immediate threats or active danger, according to the City of La Mesa Police Department.
Police also ask neighbors to stay away from the immediate search area and to rely on official updates from the department. For the latest information on this incident, residents are encouraged to monitor the department's X feed. This story will be updated if La Mesa police release additional details or a formal statement.
