Press Releases

Assault and Resist Arrest Incident

Release Date/Time: 8/7/2020 6:27 PM
Incident: Assault and Resist Arrest Incident
Date: Wednesday, 8/5/2020
Time: 1:01 PM
Location:San Juan Grade Rd and Van Buren Ave

Assault and Resist Arrest Incident

On 8-5-2020 at 1:01pm, Salinas Police officers responded to a domestic disturbance call involving a father and son in the area of San Juan Grade Rd. and Van Buren Ave. The incident started in the family vehicle because the father was driving erratically in traffic and acting incoherent. The son was able get his father to pull over but at one point, the father attempted to choke the son.

Salinas PD was called, and it was noted in the dispatch that the 49-year-old father (suspect) was possibly positive for COVID-19. Arriving officers contacted the suspect who immediately started acting erratic, yelling and dropping to the ground for no reason. He then got up, picked up a glass bottle and threatened one of the officers with it. He also claimed to have COVID-19.

When the suspect attempted to re-enter the vehicle, officers approached him, and the suspect became combative and a struggle ensued. The suspect told the officers he was going to 'give them COVID” and proceeded to spit at them. The officers tased the suspect in order to gain control and to apply a spit sock (mesh head cover to prevent spitting) to protect the themselves from possibly becoming exposed.

The suspect had to be sedated by medical personnel in order to facilitate his transport to the hospital. Medical staff contacted the police department later in the evening to advise us the suspect tested positive for COVID-19. The officers involved in this incident were wearing their protective personal equipment as they do daily, but they will also be monitored for possible exposure.

Once the investigation is complete, a warrant request will be forwarded to the District Attorney's office for review and prosecution on charges of assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest.

Release Authorized by:Miguel Cabrera
Telephone:758-7289

Shooting

Release Date/Time: 8/4/2020 8:17 AM
Incident: Shooting
Date: Tuesday, 8/4/2020
Time: 8:17 AM
Location: 1300 Block of Alma Ave.

On 08/04/20, at 12:30 AM, officers responded to a report of a gun shot in the area of the 1300 block of Alma Avenue. About 20 minutes later officers received calls of a 34-year-old male shooting victim in front of a home on Shasta Way. The victim had been shot at the Alma Avenue address. The victim was taken to a Salinas hospital with life threatening injuries and is currently in stable condition.

If you have information and can help, please call Detective John McNeil at: (831)758-7277, or email him at [email protected]

You can also 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

Fatal Traffic Collision

Release Date/Time: 7/31/2020 9:36 AM
Incident:Fatal Traffic Collision
Date: Thursday, 7/30/2020
Time: 7:52 PM
Location:1500 Block of Williams Rd.

On 7-30-2020 at 7:52 pm, officers responded to a report of a vehicle vs. motorcycle collision near the intersection of Williams Rd. and Bardin Rd. Officers found the male (23) motorcycle driver on the ground and suffering from critical injuries as a result of the collision.

He was immediately transported to Natividad Medical Center where he was later pronounced deceased as a result of the injuries sustained in the collision. His identification is pending family notification.

The vehicle involved is a 2001 Toyota pick-up truck. The driver stopped and was contacted. He is cooperating in the investigation which is ongoing.

If anyone has any information regarding this incident, you are asked to contact Salinas PD at 758-7321. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call our Tip Line at 775-4222

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

Shooting Arrest

Release Date/Time: 7/30/2020 2:08 PM
Incident:
Date: Thursday, 7/30/2020
Time: 7:00 AM
Location: 100 Block of North Filice Street

On June 7, 2020, at approximately 6:30 am, three people were standing near a vehicle at the corner of Del Monte Avenue and Towt Street. A black Mercedes drove by the three and made a U-turn.  The Mercedes pulled up next to the victims and one of the occupants fired multiple rounds at them.  Fortunately, the victims were able to run away without being shot.  Multiple .40 caliber casings were located in roadway.

Patrol and Investigations developed information and were able to positively identify one of the suspects.  On July 30, 2020, detectives served a search warrant in the under 100 block of North Filice Street and arrested a 17-year-old male for his part in the shooting.  The suspect is a known gang associate.  He was booked in Juvenile Hall. 

The Investigations Bureau is asking anyone with information to call Detective Robert Miller at 831-758-7954 or email him at [email protected]. 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 Authorized by: Cmdr. John C. Murray
Telephone: (831) 758-7350

Homicide Arrest Update - Conviction

Release Date/Time: 7/25/2020 3:53 PM
Incident: Homicide Arrest Update - Conviction
Date: Friday, 7/24/2020
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: El Dorado Park and Klamath Dr.

Release Authorized by: Sergeant Danny Warner
Telephone: 831-758-7128

On June 5, 2018, at approximately 8:00 PM, a homicide occurred in the parking lot of El Dorado Park. On the night of the homicide, detectives contacted witnesses who described a man later identified by investigators as 19-year-old Santos Longoria Fonseca. The witnesses described seeing the suspect running from the park following the shooting with his hand in his pocket as if he was holding a gun. Additional evidence placed Fonseca walking toward the park prior to the shooting. Detectives learned Fonseca was wanted on a felony warrant for an attempted robbery. The investigation led detectives to a residence located on the 1600 block of Siskiyou as a possible location for Fonseca. Detectives, the Violence Suppression Unit (VSU), and law enforcement partners conducted a surveillance operation over the course of the next 24 hours while also gathering additional evidence. Further investigation led to evidence indicating Fonseca was also responsible for the murder of Lorenso Gomez Acosta three days earlier on June 2, 2018.

On June 6, 2018, at approximately 6:30 PM, detectives and VSU officers positively identified Santos Fonseca in a vehicle with two other occupants. VSU conducted a stop on the vehicle and arrested Fonseca for murder and the outstanding felony warrant. Fonseca's girlfriend, Alekzandra Romayor (18), was also arrested, and a third juvenile girl (17), was detained and later released to her mother. A 9mm semi-automatic handgun, believed to be the murder weapon, was located in Romayor's purse. Following Fonseca's arrest, VSU, HSI, ATF, U.S. Marshals, CHP and Salinas Patrol officers served a search warrant on the Siskiyou residence. The search of the Siskiyou residence revealed a Glock semi-automatic handgun, ammunition, and other items of evidence.

Santos Fonseca was booked into County Jail for two counts of murder for the June 2, 2018 murder of Lorenso Gomez Acosta on Klamath Drive, the June 5, 2018 murder of Ernesto Garcia Cruz at El Dorado Park, and the outstanding felony attempted robbery warrant. Romayor was booked on one count of murder for the June 5, 2018 murder of Ernesto Garcia Cruz at El Dorado Park, one count of accessory to murder for the June 2, 2018 murder of Lorenso Gomez Acosta on Klamath Drive, and possession of the firearm located during the stop.

In June of 2019, Romayor accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to prison for her involvement in the brutal crimes.

In November of 2019, Fonseca escaped from the Monterey County Jail but was apprehended a couple days later while trying to cross back into the U.S. from Mexico.  On July 24, 2020, after a week-long trial, Fonseca was found guilty of first-degree murder and the escape.  He is scheduled to be sentenced in October. 

We would like to express our gratitude the members of the community who came forward with information leading to the arrest and conviction of these violent criminals. 

 

Possession of Weapons and Narcotics Arrests

Release Date/Time: 7/23/2020 12:22 PM
Incident:Possession of Weapons and Narcotics Arrests
Date: Thursday, 7/23/2020
Time: 7:00  AM
Location:1400 Block of Shawnee Way

Possession of Weapons and Narcotics Arrests.

This morning 7-23-2020, Salinas Police Department served a search warrant in the 1400 block of Shawnee Way. Craig Hawley was the focus of today's search warrant.  The Auto Theft Task Force (ATTF) received citizen information from several different narcotics related complaints over the last several months.

Today, ATTF, SWAT, Violence Suppression Task Force (VSTF) and Patrol units served the search warrant and recovered one Ghost AR-15, one 12-gauge shotgun, a Honey Oil lab and miscellaneous prescription pills. Ramon Raygosa (29) and Craig Hawley (22) were arrested and later transported to Monterey County Jail where they were booked on several weapons and narcotics possession charges. 

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

Attempted Homicide

Release Date/Time: 7/23/2020 12:25 AM
Incident:  Attempted Murder
Date: Wednesday, 7/22/2020
Time: 8:44 PM
Location:  100 Block of Orchard Avenue

Officers responded to the 100 block of Orchard Avenue regarding a shooting.  Officers were able to contact several witnesses in the area who confirmed that a shooting did occur but a victim was not located.  Several minutes later, a 25 year old male victim arrived at Natividad Medical Center. The male victim sustained a gunshot wound to his lower torso.  His injuries are not life threatening.  This incident is still under investigation and the Salinas Police Department is asking anyone with information to call  831-758-7250. 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.

Authorized by: E. Villegas 
Telephone: (831) 758-7250 

Homicide and Attempted Homicide Arrest – Victim Notification

Release Date/Time: 7/6/2020 1:01 PM
Incident:Homicide and Attempted Homicide Arrest – Victim Notification
Date: Saturday, 7/4/2020
Time: 10:00 PM
Location:400 Block of Noice Dr.

Homicide and Attempted Homicide Arrest – Victim Notification

On July 4, 2020, at approximately 10:00 PM, officers responded to a victim of a shooting in the 400 block of Noice Drive. The officers located the victim, identified as Leo Juarez Moreno (49), suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. First aid and CPR were administered by officers and medical personnel however, medical responders pronounced Mr. Moreno deceased at the scene. After shooting Mr. Moreno, the suspect fled the apartment on foot and ran through the apartment complex. While running, he encountered two adult males (19) who were not involved in the incident. For an unknown reason the suspect shot at the males multiple times, however, neither victim was struck nor injured.

During the course of the investigation, the suspect was identified as Sergio Magallanes (29). Approximately 4 hours after the initial incident, officers responded to a report of a suspicious person on a rooftop in the 100 block of Chaparral St. Officers located Magallanes and he was taken into custody without incident. Magallanes was found to be on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) and a documented Norteno out of Stockton. He was booked into the Monterey County Jail on charges of Murder and two counts of Attempted Murder.

This incident is still under investigation and the Investigations Bureau is asking anyone with information to call Detective Heckman at 831-758-7323 or email him at [email protected]. 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 Authorized by:Miguel Cabrera
Telephone:758-7289

Homicide

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.

Your Actions Save Lives: Celebrate 4th of July Holiday Responsibly

Release Date/Time: 7/1/2020 10:50 AM
Incident:Your Actions Save Lives: Celebrate 4th of July Holiday Responsibly
Date: Saturday, 7/4/2020
Location:City of Salinas

As we approach the 4th of July holiday, the Salinas Police Department encourages the public to be responsible and safe by not drinking and driving and by only using STATE-APPROVED FIREWORKS.These types of fireworks are called SAFE and SANE and should only be purchased at authorized fireworks booths in the City. SAFE and SANE fireworks have a State Fire Marshal approval stamp and do not leave the ground or explode. Any Fireworks that shoots into the air is ILLEGAL, this includes throwing or launching Safe and Sane fireworks.

Many 4th of July events and shows have been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but more restaurants and bars are now open, making it that much more important for the Salinas Police Department to keep the community safe. July 4th falls on a Saturday this year, and to keep families safe, the Salinas Police Department will have extra officers on patrol throughout the Independence Day Weekend looking for drivers suspected of driving impaired.

'We are all anxious to get out and return to some sense of normalcy,” said Salinas PD Public Information Officer Miguel Cabrera. 'But that doesn't excuse forgetting how to be safe on the road by driving impaired.” If you plan on drinking or taking medications that may impact your ability to drive safely, plan on staying at home. If you are going to a bar or restaurant, designate a sober driver before heading out for the evening.

Salinas Police Department encourages the community to think of the safety of themselves and their families when enjoying the Independence Day holiday. Your actions save lives.

Release Authorized by:Miguel Cabrera
Telephone:758-7289

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Question of the Day

What can I do if I see a car parked in my neighborhood which I think may be abandoned?

The City of Salinas has people specifically designated to handle abandoned vehicles and long-term parking problems. These problems are generally handled on a complaint basis. The abandoned vehicle office hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. The phone number, day or night, is (831) 758-7316.

The following information will help you determine whether or not a vehicle has been abandoned or is a long-term parking problem:

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