This morning at approximately 9:58 AM, an officer was working traffic enforcement and conducting radar on N. Main Street north of Massa Street. A black Lexus SUV sped past the officer northbound on Main Street in excess of 75 mph. As the officer attempted to catch up to the vehicle, and before he could, the suspect attempted to pass a Dodge Dakota making a left turn onto Sala Road. The suspect vehicle struck the Dodge and veered into and collided with an unoccupied Toyota minivan parked at the side of the road. The suspect was killed by the collision. Two adult occupants of the Dodge Dakota were uninjured.

Salinas Police Department Awarded $155,000 Grant from the Office of Traffic Safety

Salinas Police Department is the recipient of a $100,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) that will prioritize the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians.

Last Friday at approximately 1:15 PM, officers responded to a bank robbery at 900 S. Main St., Central Coast Credit Union. Two suspects armed with handguns entered the Credit Union wearing masks and sunglasses. One suspect approached two bank tellers pointed a gun at them and demanded money

On October 28, 2021, the Salinas Police Department received a report of a 20+ year-old male communicating with and sending sexually explicit images and videos to two females under the age of 14.  Officers determined the suspect was 22-year-old Fabian Vasquez.  On November 3rd, Officers arrested Mr. Vasquez and booked him into Monterey County Jail for communicating with a minor with sexual intent, sending sexually explicit content to a minor, and annoying and molesting a child.  Vasquez is an off-duty CDCR Correctional Officer.  CDCR has been notified and is cooperating with the investigation. 

With traditional in-person Halloween activities resuming this year, the Salinas Police Department encourages everyone on the road to be extra careful as more children are out walking the neighborhood and collecting candy.

As everyone participates in Halloween and Día de los Muertos celebrations, Salinas Police Department offers the following tips for families to be as safe as possible on Halloween night:

As part of National School Bus Safety Week Oct. 18-22, Salinas Police Department supports efforts throughout the state to encourage drivers to always stop for school buses for the safety of children.

Held annually during the third week of October, National School Bus Safety Week is a way for parents, children, teachers, bus drivers, school administrators and law enforcement to promote traveling to and from school by bus as a safe transportation option. This year’s theme is “1 Bus + 1 Driver = a BIG Impact on Education.”

As part of National Teen Driver Safety Week Oct. 17-23, Salinas Police Department reminds parents and guardians the importance of talking to their teen(s) about driving responsibly and safely.

Driving remains the most dangerous activity for teens. Per mile driven, teen drivers are nearly four times as likely to be involved in a crash as drivers in all other age groups. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), speeding was a factor in 43% of all teen driver and passenger fatalities from 2015 to 2019, compared to approximately 30% of all traffic deaths among adults 20 and older.

On 10-05-2021 at approximately 1:45 AM, officers responded top a ShotSpotter activation in the 200 block of Chaparral St. When they arrived, officers found Jonathan Maciel (19) suffering from a mortal gunshot wound.

On 10-05-2021 at approximately 1:45 AM, officers responded top a ShotSpotter activation in the 200 block of Chaparral St. When they arrived, officers found a male victim (19) suffering from a mortal gunshot wound. The identity of the victim is being withheld pending family notifications.