Crime Reports

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County District Attorney’s Office announced July 22 that four owners of local smoke shops and markets throughout Monterey County have paid civil penalties for unlawfully selling flavored tobacco products, among other violations of law. The sale of flavored tobacco products is...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Fraud affects everyone, whether it’s higher insurance rates, lost wages or even threats to homes. That’s why the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office has formed specialized teams focused on fighting fraud and protecting local residents from financial harm. These dedicated units target...

GREENFIELD — A Monterey County jury found Erik Sanchez, 52, of Greenfield, guilty of battery on June 30. After the jury returned a guilty verdict, Sanchez pleaded no contest to two other open cases for violating the terms of a protective order, vandalism and resisting...

CENTRAL COAST — Utility scams have continued at an alarming rate during 2025, with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) customers reporting over $190,000 in losses to scammers. To stop this trend, PG&E is committed to helping customers recognize the signs of a scam to...

SOLEDAD — California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are investigating the June 27 death of incarcerated person Jose Rodriguez at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) in Soledad as a homicide. At approximately 3:34 p.m., staff observed cellmates Steven Miranda and Rodriguez, noting Rodriguez...

SOLEDAD — Soledad resident Giovanni Lopez Orozco, 25, was sentenced on June 24 to six years in prison for committing one count of lewd act upon a child under 14 years. “This offense is a serious and violent felony and is considered a strike under...

GONZALES — Tele Matangi, 37, of Pittsburg, was sentenced to 150 years to life in prison on May 29 after being found guilty by a jury of multiple charges arising from a daylong crime spree in September 2023. Matangi was convicted of carjacking, attempted carjacking,...

GREENFIELD — Travis Harris, a 40-year-old travel nurse from Scotts Valley, was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison on June 4 after being convicted by a jury on multiple charges related to child molestation. Judge Pamela Butler presided over the trial and sentencing....

GONZALES — On May 20, Jesus Tejeda, 37, of Gonzales, was sentenced to 38 years and eight months in prison after pleading no contest to voluntary manslaughter with the personal use a firearm, attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon in furtherance of...

GREENFIELD — Greenfield Police Department has arrested six individuals in connection with a robbery that took place May 9 on the 300 block of El Camino Real. The swift response came amid a coordinated effort involving local law enforcement and community partners. The incident occurred...