SALINAS VALLEY — Local authorities served three search warrants in South Monterey County last week that resulted in three arrests and the seizure of four pistols and one semi-automatic assault rifle.
Just before 5 a.m. on Aug. 4, officers from the Greenfield and Soledad police departments, along with detectives from the South Monterey County Task Force with the assistance from Gonzales Police Department, served the first search warrant in the 300 block of Ayrshire Way in Gonzales.
Officers recovered two loaded and unregistered Polymer 80 semiautomatic “ghost” guns, a Smith and Wesson revolver, an American Tactical .223/.556 semi-automatic rifle, extended gun magazines and ammunition.
Gregory Escareno, 20, of Gonzales, was not home at the time of the warrant, but turned himself in to police hours later. He was transported to the Monterey County Jail on multiple gun-related charges.
Task Force officers then moved to the 50 block of Seventh Street in Greenfield to serve the second search warrant. According to the Greenfield Police Department, detectives recovered evidence that “will assist in furthering an ongoing criminal investigation.”
Finally, Task Force officers went to the 200 block of Cesar Chavez Way in Soledad to serve the third search warrant, during which a loaded semi-automatic Polymer 80 “ghost” gun was recovered.
During the service of the warrant, two occupants — 19-year-old Ruben Martinez, of Soledad, and a 16-year-old — resisted officers’ commands and assaulted an officer, police said. Both were taken into custody for battery on a police officer and resisting arrest.
Police said DNA was obtained from the ghost gun, which will help identify who possessed the firearm.
“These investigations are made possible with the cooperation and information from our communities,” police said. “Together, we can continue to make South County a safer place.”
