Following the tragic shooting that occurred on Saturday, May 20th in the 800 block of Garner Ave, Salinas Police Detectives were able to identify Abel Perez (25) and Ivan Barriga (19) as the suspects. As previously reported, Abel Perez was arrested in Gonzales on May 23, 2023. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Ivan Barriga. Detectives with the assistance of agents of the U.S. Marshals Service and the Violence Suppression Task Force were able to locate Barriga on Thursday, May 25, 2023, at approximately 1:30 pm. He was taken into custody without incident following a traffic stop. Barriga was later transported to the Monterey County Jail and booked on one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder along with a variety of gun and gang charges.

On Tuesday, 5/23/23 at 7:00 pm Salinas SWAT, Detectives and the Violence Suppression Task Force served a search warrant in the 700 block of Cipriani St in Gonzales. During the warrant service Abel Juan Perez (23) was taken into custody. Perez was later transported to the Monterey County Jail and booked on one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder along with a variety of gun and gang charges.

Detectives are investigating a multiple victim shooting, and homicide that occurred this morning at 10:15 am, at an apartment complex located at 800 block Garner Avenue.

On 5/20/23, at approximately 2:00 am, a 17-year-old male was stabbed at Natividad Creek Park. The stabbing victim was dropped off at a local hospital. He had multiple stab wounds to his chest, shoulder, and head. The injuries, although serious, do not appear to be life-threatening.

Release Date & Time: 05/18/2023 11:00 AM
Incident: Several randomly attacked in North Salinas
Date: Wednesday, 05/17/2023
Time: 7:43 PM
Location: N. Main [email protected] Laurel Dr., 1200/1300 block of Cherokee Dr., 300 block of Noice Dr.

At 7:38 p.m., 35-year-old suspect Anton Van Hunter, was driving a black 2002 Lexus northbound on N. Main St. at E. Laurel Drive at a high rate of speed. He split the lanes and sideswiped a Toyota stopped for the red light before continuing northbound on N. Main St. The victim of this hit-and-run was only able to describe the vehicle as having dark tinted back windows.

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.