SAN DIEGO (CNS) – A woman who had been clutching a knife and screaming outside a Kearny Mesa coffee shop Thursday allegedly barged into the business and stabbed an employee when the victim tried to lock the front doors on her.

Jessica H. Melgar, 39, allegedly forced her way into the business in the 7400 block of Clairemont Mesa Boulevard and attacked the worker at about noon, leaving him with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the San Diego Police Department.

“Other individuals held Melgar on the ground until police arrived,” SDPD Officer David O’Brien said. “Officers took Melgar into custody and recovered a 5-inch foldable knife that was lying on the floor approximately two feet away from her.”

Paramedics took the victim to a hospital for treatment of scrapes and a roughly 4-inch-long cut to his chest.

Melgar was booked into Las Colinas women’s jail in Santee on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and burglary. She was being held on $30,000 bail pending arraignment, scheduled for Monday afternoon.

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A man convicted of fatally stabbing a 71-year-old man in El Cajon was sentenced Tuesday to 43 years and eight months to life in state prison.

Gregory Daniel Carlomagno, 45, was convicted by an El Cajon Superior Court jury of second-degree murder and other charges for the Oct. 5, 2024, stabbing of Steven Barron.

El Cajon police said Barron was giving Carlomagno a ride to a store that evening, but the vehicle broke down on Benedict Avenue. As Barron attempted to get the car restarted, Carlomagno stabbed him, then fled the scene, police said.

Barron died later that night at a hospital.

At trial, Carlomagno testified that he acted in self-defense, according to sentencing documents filed by his defense attorney.

Police said officers responding to the stabbing spotted Carlomagno, who unsuccessfully attempted to carjack a vehicle from a motorist who drove off. Carlomagno then ran a short distance away but was arrested.

Here is what you need to know in the March 12, 2026, Streamline newsletter:

A heat wave is moving into San Diego County, with the potential to deliver record-breaking temperatures. Meteorologist Megan Parry’s microclimate forecasts will help you prepare for a sweltering Thursday.

Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies across California are on heightened alert over concerns about a possible Iranian drone attack against the West Coast.

In consumer news, after the Supreme Court struck down most of President Trump’s tariffs, many businesses are questioning if — and when — refunds will arrive. Ryan Hill offers a local business perspective on the potential tariff reimbursements.

THE STREAMLINE

WATCH — ABC 10News brings you The Streamline for Thursday, March 12 — everything you need to know in under 10 minutes:

The Streamline: Thursday, March 12

TOP STORY

Starting today, the San Diego area will get a preview of summer as an unseasonable hot spell descends on the region, forecasters advised.

A strengthening high-pressure atmospheric system combined with winds out of the east will bring widespread record heat toward the end of the workweek. High temperatures will be 20 to 25 degrees above average west of the mountains on Thursday and Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

Maximum thermometer readings on those two days are likely to reach the low to mid-80s near the coast and the 90s across the inland valleys, tying or breaking records for those dates, the NWS reported. The East County highlands and desert locales will get less dramatic warming, up to about five degrees, meteorologists said.

LATEST WEATHER ALERTS FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY

An NWS heat advisory for coastal and valley communities will be in effect from 10 a.m. Thursday to 8 p.m. Friday. The weekend will be less toasty but still unusually warm for this time of year, according to the weather service.

Next week, even hotter conditions are expected to arrive, bringing all- time record temperatures for March in some locations, forecasters reported.

Authorities advise the public to prevent heat-related health problems over the period by drinking plenty of fluids, staying out of the sun, limiting strenuous activities to early morning or evening, taking refuge in air- conditioned spaces if possible and checking in on potentially at-risk friends, relatives and neighbors.

Story by City News Service

MICROCLIMATE FORECASTS

Coasts

Inland

Mountains

Deserts

BREAKING OVERNIGHT

The FBI is warning California law enforcement about a potential Iranian drone attack targeting the West Coast.

ABC News reported the FBI alerted police departments across the state in recent days that Iran – in retaliation for U.S. strikes – could attempt a surprise drone attack launched from a vessel off the coast.

As of now, federal officials said there is no specific or credible threat.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday at a news conference that he’s aware of the apparent threat of Iranian drone strikes on California. He said when the war started, he activated the state emergency operations center.

“Drone issues have always been top of mind,” Newsom said.

“As it relates to drone strikes, we have been aware of that information,” he said. “We have been working collaboratively through the (operations center), which we established right after the war began — the State Operations Center. Working with the Office of Emergency Services, but also working locally to make sure we transmit any information that we have received.”

In a social media post, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said, “The City is aware of reporting indicating Iran allegedly explored using drones for potential attacks in California. There are no known threats to San Diego. SDPD is coordinating closely with regional, state, and federal partners, and we are prepared to respond to any emergency.”

WATCH — Reporter Karina Vargas spoke to a former Homeland Security official about the alert’s intentions:

Federal authorities warn of potential Iranian drone attack on California coast

CONSUMER

President Trump’s tariffs led to price increases across the board, impacting many businesses and their bottom line.

But there may be some relief on the way after the Supreme Court in February shot down most of the president’s tariffs.

WATCH — Reporter Ryan Hill explains how, when, and if it’s likely consumers get some of the money back:

When and who should expect to see potential tariff refunds

WE FOLLOW THROUGH

An arrest connected to a shooting on Palomar Mountain is bringing a sense of closure for the victim.

Back in October, ABC 10News interviewed a man who said he was ambushed while sitting in his car. According to the victim, the attacker asked if he was Mexican before opening fire.

WATCH — After a recent similar incident resulted in an arrest, reporter Michael Chen follows through with the victim to hear his reaction:

Arrest in Palomar Mountain shootings

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