Crime Reports

SOLEDAD — California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are investigating the Feb. 13 death of an inmate at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) in Soledad as a homicide. At about 9:40 a.m., staff observed inmate Dan Felix unresponsive in his cell. “Staff immediately responded, initiating life-saving measures and activating 911,” according to...

GREENFIELD — A former California state correctional lieutenant has been arrested on charges of conspiring to smuggle contraband into state prison in exchange for approximately $100,000 in payments from an inmate. Matthew Madsen, 39, of Greenfield, made his initial appearance in federal district court in...

SOLEDAD — Monterey County District Attorney’s Office’s Consumer Protection Unit has resolved a case against Mi Tierra Linda LLC, the owner of an apartment building located at 150 Encinal Road in Soledad. According to a Jan. 9 news release, the settlement resolves multiple violations of...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Superior Court Presiding Judge Carrie Panetta announced that Judge Jennifer O’Keefe has been elected by the bench to serve as the court’s next assistant presiding judge as of Jan. 1. O’Keefe will serve in that role for 2026 and 2027...

Police Reports are obtained from the local police departments. KING CITY Dec. 163:30 p.m. Burglary on Broadway St.4:38 p.m. Hit-and-Run on N. San Lorenzo Av. Dec. 175:30 a.m. Vandalism on N. Vanderhurst Av.7:00 a.m. CPS Referral on N. Vanderhurst Av.10:23 a.m. Unlicensed driver on Mustang Ct.6:36 p.m....

Police Reports are obtained from the local police departments. KING CITY Dec. 97:49 a.m. Possession of open container in public on Broadway St.8:05 a.m. Possession of open container in public on Broadway St.10:40 a.m. Fight on school grounds on Broadway St.8:43 p.m. Unlawful possession of paraphernalia...

SOLEDAD — California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are investigating the Jan. 29 death of an inmate at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) in Soledad as a homicide. At about 6:15 a.m., staff observed inmate Karapet Demirdzhyan unresponsive in his cell during a security check in a housing unit. “Staff immediately responded, initiating life-saving measures on Demirdzhyan and...

SOLEDAD — A Monterey County jury has convicted Paul Chavez Ramirez, 61, an inmate serving a life sentence at Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad, of possessing a weapon. In a bifurcated trial, the jury also found that Ramirez had previously been convicted of four...

CALIFORNIA — California Highway Patrol (CHP) is highlighting new public safety laws passed during this year’s legislative session and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Unless otherwise noted, these laws took effect Jan. 1, 2026. “CHP is committed to keeping the public informed so they can...

Police Reports are obtained from the local police departments. KING CITY Dec. 512:00 a.m. Criminal threats on S. 1st St.3:54 p.m. Fight on school grounds on Broadway St.6:08 p.m. Hit-and-Run with property damage on Metz Rd.7:11 p.m. Vandalism on Broadway St.8:45 p.m. Unlawful registration on Lynn...