Press Releases

Message From Salinas Police Chief Adele Frese

Release Date/Time: 6/1/2020 5:10 PM
Incident: Message From Police Chief Adele Frese
Date: Monday, 6/1/2020
Time: 5:10 PM
Location:

Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Mr. Floyd, his community, and all of those grieving for the senseless and violent loss of life at the hands of a police officer.

 The Salinas Police Department stands with the community in protest to the killing of Mr. Floyd of Minneapolis. As the Salinas police chief, I stand with you and refuse to allow the actions of one police officer, and complicity of three others, 2,000 miles away, to derail the relationships we've built and the progress we have made together, right here in our town. 

We cannot allow those officers' actions and their disregard for human life to take anything else away from us. 

 Here in Salinas, we named our new police building, the 'Police Service of Salinas” because police service is the essence of what we do, it is our reason for being. For years our profession has been referred to as the 'police force”, that needs to be a thing of the past, we are Guardians and we are the Police Service. 

 I ask that you stand with us as we build a future together, united, sculpting the relationship between our police, our community, and our future. We must take the next steps together.

 

Release Authorized by: Commander Eulalio Villegas
Telephone: (831) 758-7250

Search Warrant

Release Date/Time: 5/27/2020 8:01 PM
Incident: Search Warrant
Date: Wednesday, 5/27/2020
Time: 8:01 PM
Location: 900 Block of St. Andrews Court

The Violence Suppression Task Force with the assistance of Salinas PD SWAT served a residential search warrant in the 900 block of St. Andrews Court. The search warrant was for illegal drug sales and firearm violations. During the execution of the search warrant the suspect, Julio Munoz Jr. (32), a gang member, was observed outside watering his lawn. VSTF officers moved in and took him into custody without incident while SWAT secured the residence. During the search of the residence a handgun was located, various caliber ammunition, and crystal methaphetamine. Munoz was transported and booked into county jail on numerous charges.

 

Release Authorized by: Sgt. Luis Bravo
Telephone:

Robbery, Conspiracy and Possession of a Concealed Firearm Arrests

Release Date/Time: 5/27/2020 12:11 PM
Incident: Robbery, Conspiracy and Possession of a Concealed Firearm Arrests
Date: Wednesday, 5/27/2020
Time: 12:25 AM
Location: Sanborn Rd at McGowan Drive

Robbery, Conspiracy and Possession of a Concealed Firearm Arrests

On 5-27-2020 at 12:25 am, officers responded to a report of an armed robbery in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant located at Sanborn Rd at McGowan Drive where the victim had been beat up and pistol whipped. Officers found the victim bleeding from the head. He was transported to Natividad Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.

The victim said he was accosted, robbed and pistol whipped by three suspects wearing black hooded sweatshirts. They took his wallet and backpack before they all ran towards Mc Gowan Circle. Officers conducted an extensive area search for the suspects and were subsequently able to locate three individuals matching the suspects description inside a vehicle parked nearby. They were detained and after they were positively identified as the robbery suspects, they were arrested. Officers found a 9mm handgun and evidence linking the suspects to the crime in the vehicle.

The three suspects, Xavier Jimenez (19) from Soledad, Richard Andrew Flores (19) from Gonzales and a 16-year-old juvenile from Gonzales were later transported to county jail and the minor to juvenile hall. They are facing charges of robbery, conspiracy and possession of a concealed firearm.

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

Shooting/ Attempted Murder Arrest

Release Date/Time: 5/26/2020 3:57 PM
Incident: Shooting/ Attempted Murder Arrest
Date: Tuesday, 5/26/2020
Time: 3:57 PM
Location: 600 Block of Mae Ave.

On 1/24/20, at 1:02 PM, a shooting occurred on the 600 block of Mae Ave. An 18-year-old arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound to his back and was uncooperative. He provided very little information. During the investigation, Detectives developed evidence pointing to Jose Perez (20) as a suspect in the shooting.

UPDATE 5/26/20

Detectives conducted an extensive follow-up investigation and established probable cause to arrest Jose Perez. On 05/26/20, Detectives located Perez in the Chinatown area of Salinas, and he was arrested and booked into Monterey County Jail for attempted murder and gang crimes.

This case is still under investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Det. Derek Gibson at (831)758-7442, 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

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

Salinas Police Department Encourages Public to Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend Responsibly

Release Date/Time: 5/21/2020 11:37 AM
Incident:Salinas Police Department Encourages Public to Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend Responsibly
Date: Memorial Day Weekend
Location:City of Salinas

Salinas Police Department Encourages Public to Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend Responsibly

This weekend is Memorial Day Weekend, and as we slowly travel down the road to reopening, the Salinas Police Department encourages everyone to listen to advice from public health officials and be responsible during these trying times.To help protect you and your family, Salinas Police Department will have officers on patrol over the Memorial Day Weekend looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

'This Memorial Day weekend will be much different than years before due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Public Information Officer, Miguel Cabrera said. 'But when it comes to protecting your family and getting around, it doesn't mean we have to get complacent. If you plan on drinking, stay at home.”

Pandemic or no pandemic, it is never okay to drive under the influence of alcohol. Remember, a DUI does not just mean alcohol: some prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. Always follow directions for use and read warning labels about driving or 'operating heavy machinery,” which includes driving a car. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

While the state is relaxing stay-at-home orders, Salinas Police Department advises the public to avoid large gatherings for Memorial Day Weekend and practice physical distancing measures, when feasible, by staying at least six feet away from others.

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

Update arrest made: Atempted Murder

Release Date/Time: 5/14/2020 4:17 PM
Incident:
Date: Thursday, 5/14/2020
Time: 4:17 PM
Location:100 Block Orchard Ave.

Release Authorized by: Sergeant Duran
Telephone:831-758-7496

On 4-20-2020 at approximately 9:31 hrs., officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation in the area of the 100 block of Orchard Ave. with multiple gunshots detected.  At about the same time, officers were advised that a male victim was being driven to the hospital by private vehicle. It was later determined the victim's wound was not life threatening. Officers contacted the victim (23) and were able to determine he had driven to the area of Orchard Ave. to drop off a friend. The victim stepped out of his vehicle near the friend's residence and observed a 08-10 silver Honda Civic occupied by several male individuals was driving towards him.

The Honda accelerated towards the victim then stopped, one of the occupants exited the vehicle and pulled a handgun from his waistband and fired several rounds at the victim who dove to the ground. The victim was struck once in the back. The armed suspect was described as a Hispanic male adult, heavy set and wearing a black hoodie. The vehicle sped away from the area. No further information is available at this time as the investigation continues.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact 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

Update: 

During the course of this investigation Detectives were able to develop information leading to the identification and arrest of three suspects involved in this attempted homicide. Based on the information developed by Detectives they authored two search warrants for two residences in the City of Salinas. The two search warrants were served this morning by the Salinas Police Department SWAT Team, VSTF and Detectives on a residence in the under 100 block of Prince Pl and a residence in the 300 Block of Pueblo Drive in Salinas.

The suspects were identified as known gang members Joshua Garcia (20), Jesus Lopez (22) and Cynthia Edeza (22) all from Salinas. Joshua Garcia has been in-custody for an unrelated case at the Monterey County Jail since April 24, 2020. He was arrested on new charges for the April shooting today. Cynthia Edeza was arrested this morning at her residence following the service of the search warrant. Jesus Lopez was taken into custody in the 200 Block of Winham St. this morning. Edeza and Lopez were booked into the Monterey County Jail. All three suspects are facing charges of attempted homicide, conspiracy and gang enhancements

If anyone has further information regarding this investgation  please contact Detective Gabriela Contrereas at 831-758-797. Email- [email protected].

Carjacking, Kidnapping and Child Endangerment Arrest

Release Date/Time: 5/14/2020 9:25 AM
Incident:Carjacking,Kidnapping and Child Endangerment Arrest
Date: Wednedsday, 5/13/2020
Time: 1:22 PM
Location:1400 Block Constitution Blvd.

Daniel Orozco (28) was released from county jail on 5-13-2020 at approximately 1pm after being arrested by CHP the day before for DUI and drug related charges. Not more than ten minutes after his release, as he was walking through the parking lot of Natividad Medical Center, he confronted a victim sitting in her vehicle with her child and forced her out of her car and demanded the keys.

The victim (48) initially refused to give up the keys but gave them up when Orozco proceeded to strangle the child (11) with a headlock around his neck. The victim was able to take the child out of the vehicle as Orozco fled the scene in her vehicle. The child suffered minor injuries. Officers arrived and immediately broadcast the suspect information.

A short time later, an alert off-duty officer spotted the vehicle and with the assistance of CHP and Gonzales PD the vehicle was stopped S/B on HWY 101 with Orozco still driving it. Orozco was positively identified as the carjacking suspect and taken into custody.

Orozco was transported and booked, again, in county jail on carjacking, kidnapping, child endangerment, and assault with a deadly weapon charges.

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

Homicide

Release Date/Time: 5/12/2020 2:06 AM
Incident: Homicide
Date: Tuesday, 5/12/2020
Time: 2:06 AM
Location: 900 Block of La Mancha Way

Release Authorized by: Cmdr. Brian Johnson
Telephone: 831-758-7250

On 5/11/20, at approximately 11:34PM, officers responded to a victim of a shooting.  Officers arrived on scene and located two victims.  One of the victims was unresponsive and officers began giving the victim medical attention.  Medics arrived on scene and pronounced the victim deceased.  The second victim was transported to a medical facility.  

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Detective Ruben Sanchez at (831) 758-7927, 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.

Homicide Arrest

Release Date/Time: 5/7/2020 5:03 PM
Incident: Homicide Arrest
Date: Thursday, 5/7/2020
Time: 1:45 PM
Location: N. Main Street / Russell Road

On 05/01/20, at approximately 5:28 PM, officers responded to a call of a shooting. The caller told dispatch there were two people shot. Officers arrived on scene and located a homeless camp in the wooded area near the bicycle path located east of the County Yard facility on the 800 block of East Laurel Drive. The officers located two shooting victims, one victim, a 28-year-old man, was deceased at the scene. The second victim, a 53-year-old man was transported to a local hospital and is expected to survive.

0n 05/02/20, at 8:32 AM, officers responded to a gunshot wound victim near the same homeless camp on the 800 block of E. Laurel Drive. The victim, a 29-year-old man, was taken to a local hospital with a single gunshot wound to the leg. He had hidden in the wooded area from officers the evening prior.

On 05/07/20, at approximately 1:45 PM, Salinas Police Detectives, SWAT, VSTF, and U.S. Marshals collaborated on a surveillance and tactical operation to locate and arrest 18-year-old John Barriga Macias. Macias was arrested for murder during a car stop on N. Main Street and Russell Road at approximately 1:45 PM. The SWAT team then served a search warrant on a home located at an apartment complex on the 2400 block of N. Main Street. Macias was booked into County Jail on charges of Murder, Attempted Murder and gang charges.

The murder is still under investigation and anyone with information is encouraged to call Detective Byron Gansen at (831) 758-7137, 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.

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

Attempted Homicide

Release Date/Time: 5/6/2020 3:34 PM
Incident: Attempted Homicide
Date: Wednesday, 5/6/2020
Time: 12:55 PM
Location: 800 Block of Caribbean

Salinas Police Officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation on the 800 block of Caribbean Ave. Prior to officers arriving, the call was upgraded to a victim of a shooting. Officers were able to locate the male juvenile victim suffering from several gunshot wounds and facilitated treatment. It appears that the victim was on foot when he was approached by an unknown type car after which he was shot. It was later determined the victim's wounds did not appear to be life threatening.

This case is still under investigation. 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.

Release Authorized by: Commander B. Cupak
Telephone: (831) 758-7250

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