Press Releases

Release Date/Time: 7/5/2020 3:28 AM
Incident: Homicide
Date: Sunday, 7/5/2020
Time: 3:28 AM
Location: 400 Block of Noice Dr.

Release Authorized by: Cmdr. Arensdorf
Telephone: (831)758-7250

On July 4, 2020 at 2200 hours Salins Police Officers responded to the 400 block of Noice Dr. on a report of a victim of a shooting. On arrival they found the 49 year old adult male victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Officers and medical personnel administered CPR however the victim died as a result of his injuries. The suspect, described as a hispanic male adult last seen wearing a red shirt and blue jeans was last seen running southbound through the apartment complex.

The Investigations Bureau is asking anyone with information on the shooting to call Detective Justin Hackman at (831) 758-7323 or email him at Justinh.salinas.ca.us. If you would like to remain anonymous, you can call the Salinas Police Department Anonymous Tip Line at 831-775-4222, or the We-Tip Line at 1-800-78-CRIME.

Release Date/Time: 6/25/2020 8:08 AM
Incident:Fireworks in the City of Salinas
Location: City of Salinas

This Sunday, June 28, 2020, Salinas non-profit organizations will begin sales of 'Safe-n-Sane” fireworks from 18 booths located throughout the city of Salinas. 'For many of our city's non-profit and youth organizations, this is their biggest opportunity of the year to raise funds for their programs” says Salinas Mayor Joe Gunter. 'This year, these groups have been hit hard along with everyone else in the midst of the pandemic and our fingers are crossed that this will give them the much-needed boost they desperately need.”

While 'Safe-n-Sane” fireworks are legal to purchase and use within the city limits between June 28^th and July 5^th, Salinas officials warn that they are on the lookout for those who are purchasing and using illegal fireworks 'Anything that flies into the air or creates loud noise is considered illegal” according to Salinas Fire Battalion Chief and Fire Marshal Samuel Klemek. 'Starting in early June, we start to receive complaints from residents who are fearful for their property, pets, and sanity. We are now receiving 20 to 30 complaints per night”.

The Salinas fire and police departments collaborate to monitor reports and try to focus enforcement where illegal fireworks are being reported. 'We use several enforcement methods such as undercover officers in unmarked patrol units, surveillance video, and other methods to help us find offenders” says Salinas Assistant Police Chief, Roberto Filice. Dangerous and illegal fireworks such as bottle rockets, M-80s, and mortars are prohibited throughout California, and persons found using, or in possession of, dangerous and illegal fireworks are subject to fines ranging from $1,250 to $50,000.

Both Filice and Klemek confirm that multiple citations have already been issued and add that some individuals have received multiple fines because they have been captured on video over several days, lighting illegal fireworks in their neighborhoods. 'Each time you light a fuse, you subject yourself to a fine of $1,250 or more” Klemek says and 'you never know who might be watching or recording you”. Exasperated residents are fed-up with the nightly barrage, unable to sleep or trying to comfort loved ones that are scared to death. The community is stepping up to provide law enforcement officials with good intelligence of where illegal fireworks are being used and stepping up efforts to respond. It is definitely a cat-and-mouse game for them. Adding to the anxiety this year is the reality of the Covid-19 pandemic. Salinas officials warn against hosting large gatherings in homes and neighborhoods that could potentially spread the virus, unnecessarily prompting renewed restrictions on daily life.

To make sure you and your family celebrate safely during the 4^th of July, Salinas officials recommend the following 'Safe-n-Sane” fireworks safety practices:

            Buy and use only 'Safe and Sane” fireworks from a permitted commercial retailer.

            Always read and follow instructions on fireworks packaging.

         Closely supervise children during the use of 'Safe and Sane” fireworks.

         Never use fireworks around dry vegetation or areas likely to catch fire.

         After firework has been used, soak in water before discarding.

        Always keep at a safe distance.

        Always have a garden hose and a bucket of water on hand when using fireworks.

        If a fire escapes your control, call 911 immediately.

Salinas fire and police officials also encourage residents to report the use or sales of illegal fireworks with as much specific information as possible by visiting www.salinasfireworks.com, using the 'Salinas Connect” smartphone application, or call/text (831) 758-7475. Calls are monitored but will not be returned.

Release Authorized by:Miguel Cabrera
Telephone:831 758-7289

Release Date/Time: 6/17/2020 4:05 PM
Incident: Attorney General Recommendations
Date: Wednesday, 6/17/2020
Time: 4:05 PM
Location: 

On Monday, June 15th, the California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced a broad agenda for police reform aimed at improving use-of-force procedures, addressing issues around bias in policing, and increasing accountability and transparency. The Attorney General has urged law enforcement agencies statewide to develop and implement policies regarding nine subject matters:

• Intervention

• Ban Chokeholds and Carotid Restraints

• De-Escalation

• Proportionality

• Verbal Warnings

• Moving Vehicles

• Deadly Force as a Last Resort

• Comprehensive Reporting

• Canine Use

The Salinas Police Department would like to specifically respond to the nine recommendations made by the Attorney General and demonstrate our adherence prior to these recommendations through excerpts from our last published policy manual on January 7, 2020. The Salinas Police Department prides itself on being a part of the community and being able to adjust to changing best practices in our profession that benefit all the people of Salinas. Please refer to the attached link for the specific policies covering each subject matter.

https://www.salinaspd.com/sites/default/files/attachments/agreform.pdf

Release Authorized by: Christopher Lane, Sergeant
Telephone:831-7858-7280

Release Date/Time: 6/5/2020 7:52 PM
Incident: Homicide Arrest
Date: Friday, 6/5/2020
Time: 7:52 PM
Location: Castroville

Release Authorized by:  Cmdr. John C. Murray
Telephone:  (831)758-7350

On 10/01/19, at 4:55 AM, officers responded to a victim of a shooting at a Motel located on De La Torre Blvd. Officers found Armando Medina (29) deceased in the stairwell from a gunshot wound. The victim had been renting a nearby room. No one was in the room when officers arrived, and the door was open. A loaded .25 caliber semiautomatic pistol was found beside Medina. Based on the injuries it appeared that the .25 caliber semi-auto found at the scene was not the weapon used, which was later confirmed by the autopsy.

On the night of the homicide, officers located a blood trail leading to the area where the suspect vehicle had been parked.  Detectives sent samples of the blood to the DOJ lab for testing, which yielded a positive DNA profile match of Justin Bravo (32).  Detectives investigated further and discovered additional evidence pointing at Bravo.

On 6/5/20, detectives, SWAT and HNT surrounded Bravo's residence in Castroville and served the homicide arrest warrant.  Several people came out and were detained without incident.  Bravo came to the door and began yelling at the officers, demanding they stay away.  SWAT officers tried to reason with him, but he would not comply.  Bravo became increasingly agitated and took a fighting stance.  SWAT officers deployed two foam less lethal rounds, and a police K9.  SWAT officers then advanced on Bravo and arrested him for murder.  He was later transported to a local hospital for treatment.  During the search, detectives located a shotgun with a sawed-off buttstock, a .22 caliber handgun, ammunition and gang indicia.  During questioning, Bravo placed himself at the scene of the shooting but claimed he did not remember what happened due to his drug use.  He was booked into County Jail for murder.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Detective Justin Heckman at 758-7323 or email at [email protected] or 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