Spring Valley hatchet attack committed by fugitive

A fugitive in violation of his parole terms is back in custody after adding robbery and attempted-murder charges to his rap sheet over the weekend.

On Saturday afternoon, April 12, 24-year-old Harold Hill entered the Jamacha Produce Market liquor store on the 10700 block of Jamacha Road in Spring Valley, armed with both a gun and a hatchet.

According to a report from San Diego sheriff's Sgt. Daniel Vengler, customers — including a 12-year-old girl — hid behind store displays as Hill ventured behind the counter and started emptying the cash register. When the clerk resisted, Hill struck him twice with the hatchet before he fled on a bicycle.

A witness to the attack reportedly ran Hill down in his car, striking him and knocking him off his bicycle. Hill dropped the gun and money and continued to flee on foot, running into a nearby mobile-home park.

Thanks to a tip from another witness, he was located by sheriff's deputies within ten minutes, hiding under one of the trailers. Reluctant to surrender, Hill reached for his waistband and deputies, fearing he was about to draw a gun, unleashed a police dog to subdue him.

The store clerk sustained serious injuries from the hatchet attack and was transported to a hospital for treatment. Hill was also treated for dog-bite injuries before being booked into jail.