DATE/TIME: 05/13/2023 03:45 | LOCATION: E. Laurel/Towt

INCIDENT: Vehicle Pursuit/ Resisting Arrest/ Felony Warrants

REPORT #: 23-050392

WATCH CMDR: John Murray

An officer was in the area of E. Laurel Dr. and Towt St. when he observed a vehicle code violation and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle, a gray Honda Accord driven by Jesus Alberto Cervantes (43), immediately accelerated running a red light in an attempt to escape. A pursuit ensued and Cervantes attempted to evade officers by traveling throughout East Salinas at a high rate of speed and driving on the wrong side of the road.

Cervantes took the 101 south on-ramp from E. Market Street and made a U-turn at the top of the on-ramp where he was broadsided by a 2015 Honda Accord driven by a 43-year-old man who was traveling approximately 70 mph. The collision caused Cervantes to spin out, and he lost control of his vehicle. He went off the highway and his vehicle came to rest approximately 15 feet down the embankment. Fortunately, the citizen survived the collision and was treated by paramedics and released at the scene.

Cervantes had to be extricated from his vehicle by the Fire Department, and he was transported to the local trauma center where he was treated for serious injuries. Cervantes was fleeing to avoid arrest for four felony warrants, and he will be booked in County Jail on fresh charges of resisting arrest and evading officers.

On 5/11/23, at 9:08 pm, officers responded to a report of gunshots and a woman crying on the 700 block of Elton Place. Minutes later, in what appeared to be a separate incident, a 39-year-old called 911 reporting a man had approached him on Myers Court and revealed a handgun in his waistband and asked him where he was from. The victim ran away and called the police.
A short time later, a 23-year-old man arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound to his hand. He stated he had been unloading groceries from his car in the driveway of an apartment complex on the 700 block of Elton when he heard several shots and was hit in the hand.
Officers located bullet casings in the driveway of the apartment complex and in the street. There were bullet strikes to the 23-year old’s vehicle and a second vehicle parked across the street. The victim’s 1-year-old child was in the car when it was struck. A search warrant was granted for the victim’s vehicle and an apartment at the location.
This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to call the Salinas Police Department at (831) 758-7321. If you would like to remain anonymous, you can call the Salinas Police Department Tip Line at (831) 775-4222.

DATE/TIME: 05/01/2023 05:52 | LOCATION: Abbott St / Harris Rd
INCIDENT: Fatal Vehicle Collision
REPORT #: 23-050003
WATCH CMDR: John C. Murray

A 28-year-old man was driving his 2012 Honda Accord southbound on Abbott St. A semi-truck with two trailers was also in the southbound lane and just received a green light to continue. The semi began to accelerate when the Honda rear ended the trailer at a high speed. The driver of the Honda was transported to a local trauma center where he was pronounced deceased. The semi driver was uninjured, cooperative, and had no signs of impairment. The SPD Traffic Unit is conducting the investigation.

On Wednesday, 4/26/23, at approximately 6:30 pm, Salinas Police Officers and Salinas Fire Department responded to the 1600 block of Georgetown Way on a report of a juvenile needing medical attention.

DATE/TIME: 04/26/2023 11:28

LOCATION: 900 block of Acosta Plaza
INCIDENT: Shooting Victim/ Attempted Murder
REPORT #: 23-040792

Police received a ShotSpotter activation and 911 calls reporting multiple gunshots in the area of the 900 block of Acosta Plaza. A 34-year-old male victim attempted to flag down motorists at the gas station on E. Laurel and N. Sanborn Road. The victim had a single gunshot in the upper body and was transported to a local hospital. Officers searched the area, and several bullet casings were found in front of 915 Acosta Plaza. Several witnesses reported a gray Honda chasing the victim just before the shots were fired. The only descriptions provided of the suspects were 3 Hispanic males, one with long hair, and no clothing description. The victim is in stable condition with non-life-threatening wounds.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to call the Salinas Police Department at (831) 758-7321. If you would like to remain anonymous, you can call the Salinas Police Department Tip Line at (831) 775-4222.

Salinas Police Detectives are still asking for the public’s help with any information regarding the disappearance of Arelie Garcia (25) who was reported missing on September 22, 2022.

On Monday, 12/19/22 at approximately 7:15 pm, Salinas Police Officers responded to a report of a victim of a shooting in the 1900 block of Bradbury St. On arrival they located David Alcantar-Rodriguez (18) suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Officers attempted life saving measures and the victim was transported to a local hospital, however, the victim succumbed to his injuries. A white sedan was seen leaving the area after the shooting.