Crime Reports

SOLEDAD — California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are investigating the Oct. 23 death of an inmate at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) in Soledad as a homicide. At about 9:52 a.m., staff in a recreation yard observed inmates Robert England, Todd Givens and Ray...

SOLEDAD — A 59-year-old Soledad man was arrested Wednesday morning after allegedly robbing a Mechanics Bank branch and attempting to flee north on Highway 101, according to Soledad Police Department. In a news release, Soledad Police said officers were dispatched around 9:22 a.m. after a...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded a $75,000 grant from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to reduce alcohol-related harm in the community. “This initiative is essential to improving youth safety and giving law enforcement the tools needed to...

Police Reports are obtained from the local police departments. KING CITY Sept. 269:12 a.m. Vandalism on Broadway St.9:28 a.m. Bench warrant on Broadway St.1:38 p.m. Expired registration over six months on Talbot.5:00 p.m. Vandalism on Lynn St.11:25 p.m. Speeding on Bitterwater Rd.11:25 p.m. Speeding on Saint...

SOLEDAD — California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are investigating the Oct. 14 death of an incarcerated person at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) in Soledad as a homicide. At about 5:15 p.m., staff observed Orlando Ochoa assaulting Israel Mendoza and responded by utilizing chemical...

SOLEDAD — Soledad Police Chief Patrick Valenzuela recently announced that Lt. Juan Santiago has successfully graduated from the 295th session of the FBI National Academy. The graduation ceremony was held at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va., on Sept. 4. Santiago is only the...

GREENFIELD — Several community members in Greenfield had their catalytic converters stolen overnight on Oct. 14, according to Greenfield Police Department. Similar thefts were also reported in other South Monterey County cities, including Soledad and King City. A catalytic converter is part of a vehicle’s exhaust...

Police Reports are obtained from the local police departments. KING CITY Sept. 118:50 p.m. DUI on Canal St. Sept. 123:17 a.m. Probation violation on Sycamore St.1:42 p.m. Domestic battery on Leeds Ave.2:29 p.m. Petty Theft on N. Mildred Ave. Sept. 132:15 a.m. Drunk in Public on S. Vanderhurst...

SOLEDAD — John Lydon, a 52-year-old inmate of Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad, was sentenced Oct. 10 to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of fellow inmate Son Kim Tran. On May 16, Lydon pleaded to the murder of...

MONTEREY COUNTY — In light of recent reports of pets being abandoned during challenging times, both Hitchcock Road Animal Services and SPCA Monterey County are joining messages to remind all pet owners that dumping or abandoning animals is both illegal and inhumane. California law explicitly...