Salinas Valley State Prison inmates found guilty of first-degree attempted murder
SOLEDAD — After a five-day trial, on Oct. 4, a jury found Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) inmates Jorge Farias, 37, and Michael Bloom, 43, guilty of first-degree attempted murder on an inmate.
Farias was found to have suffered two prior strike convictions under California’s...
Women arrested for $3M embezzlement scheme from Taylor Farms
SALINAS — Monterey County District Attorney’s Office announced Oct. 18 that Karen Rodriguez, 38, and Elizabeth Vargas, 34, both current residents of Arizona, have been charged with embezzling more than $3 million from Taylor Farms.
Rodriguez and Vargas were employed in the Human Resources department...
Arrests made in check-cashing scheme in Greenfield
GREENFIELD — Greenfield Police Department has arrested two individuals following a three-month investigation into fraudulent check cashing.
Between Aug. 4 and Sept. 25, King City residents Olivia Pineda Carrazco and Juan Alberto Diaz cashed four fraudulent checks at various businesses in Greenfield.
“Our investigation revealed that...
Scammers target PG&E customers, stealing more than $334K this year
CENTRAL COAST — Utility scams have continued at an alarming rate during 2024, with nearly 15,000 Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) customers reporting more than $334,000 in losses to scammers.
The average scam victim lost over $600, and more than 500 customers have reported falling...
Greenfield man gets 30 years-to-life for murder after intentionally running over pedestrian
GREENFIELD — Greenfield resident Paulo Cesar Alcaraz Ortiz, 27, has been sentenced to 30 years and eight months-to-life in prison after being convicted of first-degree murder for intentionally running over Guadalupe Garcia.
On Nov. 16, 2021, Ortiz was in a car stolen from a friend’s...
Homicide investigation underway following inmate’s death at Salinas Valley State Prison
SOLEDAD — California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials are investigating the Sept. 30 death of an inmate at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) in Soledad as a homicide.
At 10:45 a.m., officers were conducting security rounds and approached a cell occupied by Colin Hebert and Jessie...
Monterey County Sheriff’s Office honored for mass casualty response
MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency made a surprise visit to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office last week, recognizing local deputies for their pivotal role in managing a mass casualty incident on March 3 in King City.
The tragic shooting occurred...
Soledad Police to conduct DUI checkpoint on Friday
SOLEDAD — Soledad Police Department will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) checkpoint on Friday, Sept. 20, from 6 to 11 p.m. at an undisclosed location within the city of Soledad.
DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related...
Soledad teacher arrested for sexual relationship with student
SOLEDAD — Detectives from Soledad Police Department have arrested 34-year-old Main Street Middle School teacher Marina Ramirez Rico for having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old male former student.
During an investigation on a different case, a video was located “showing the two engaged in...
Central Coast elected officials champion new retail theft laws
CENTRAL COAST — In downtown Salinas on Aug. 19 — joined by several dozen Central Coast elected officials, law enforcement leaders, business owners and local and state lawmakers — Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas championed historic new retail theft laws that will protect business owners,...
Local News
Monterey County Sheriff’s Office investigating suspicious death in Ventana Wilderness
MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a suspicious death in the Sykes Hot Springs area of the Ventana Wilderness in the...
