SAN DIEGO – Bail was set on Oct. 22 at $200,000 for a man suspected of stabbing three security guards at a Pacific Beach bar after he was ejected.
He returned minutes later with an “8-inch hunting knife,” and stabbed the three men, said Deputy District Attorney Lauren Wade.
Dylan Robert Chase, 24, pleaded not guilty to four counts of assault with a deadly weapon before San Diego Superior Court Judge Euketa Oliver.
The stabbing incident took place early Sunday, Oct. 19, shortly after midnight at Mavericks Beach Club at 860 Garnet Avenue. Chase and a friend were ejected for some type of disturbance. Chase returned with the friend.
Wade told the judge that two victims had to have surgery after suffering internal injuries, including a ruptured spleen and a pierced lung. The third man didn’t need surgery, and all three are now out of the hospital.
Also charged with one count of assaulting a guard is Chase’s friend, Brayden Jemar Sanders, 24, who did not use a weapon in the incident. Sanders was arrested and posted bond. He will be arraigned in December.
Chase is alleged to have caused great bodily injuries to three guards, Gavin Pingel, Francisco Garcia, and Bryant Tlachi, all of whom were stabbed, according to the criminal complaint.
Chase is also accused of assaulting a fourth person at the bar. Wade told Oliver that patrons held down both defendants in the bar until police arrived to arrest them.
If convicted of all charges, Chase faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison, according to Tanya Sierra, public affairs spokesperson for the District Attorney’s office.
Attorney Kevin Haughton, who represents Chase, told the judge that Chase has only lived in San Diego for approximately two months and came here from Kansas. He said Chase was staying at a sober living facility prior to his arrest.
Haughton said his client has never been charged with a felony, but acknowledged he had three prior misdemeanor convictions. He assured the judge that if he was released on his own recognizance, he would make all his court appearances.
Haughton urged Oliver to impose “minimal bail,” suggesting $10,000, as he could not afford to post a larger amount. He said that Chase would be willing to wear a GPS monitor.
The prosecutor urged $200,000 bail, saying Chase posed “an ongoing threat to the community” and was dangerous. She said he also posed “a flight risk,” since he was only visiting here from Kansas.
Oliver said the charges were too serious to allow Chase to be released on his own recognizance or bail at the range his attorney suggested. “Those (release) conditions won’t protect society,” she added.
With the three prior misdemeanor convictions, Chase’s “history of violence is escalating,” said Oliver, adding, “He poses a risk.”
Oliver then set bail at $200,000. A preliminary hearing was set for November 4. Chase remains in jail.
