Crime Reports

SOLEDAD — Soledad resident David Merino Ramirez, 32, was sentenced April 11 to 15-years-to-life in state prison after a jury in February convicted him of murder and vehicular manslaughter. On Aug. 21, 2020, around 9 p.m., Ramirez was driving northbound at speeds exceeding 80mph on...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Many residents have never heard of a Civil Grand Jury, or if they have, they know little about its purpose. In California, a Civil Grand Jury is required in each of the 58 counties. Looking for effectiveness and efficiency, Civil Grand jurors...

SALINAS — Monterey County District Attorney’s Office’s Environmental Protection Unit entered into a stipulated judgment March 15 with Fresh Express Inc. for violations of pesticide-related laws that exposed its employees to noxious odors resulting from the use of sodium hypochlorite (commonly known as bleach)...

SALINAS — The County of Monterey Department of Public Works, Facilities and Parks and Friends of Laguna Seca (FLS) have announced the execution of a comprehensive settlement that ends the Laguna Seca Raceway lawsuit, “Highway 68 Coalition vs. County of Monterey.” “We view this as...

SOLEDAD — Correctional Training Facility (CTF) Investigative Services Unit is investigating the death of an inmate who died after he attacked correctional officers during an altercation. On March 21, at about 11 a.m., officers were releasing inmates from their cells when 61-year-old inmate Joseph Altamirano...

GREENFIELD — Greenfield Police Department has announced the arrest of a Gonzales man who allegedly molested three juvenile victims in South Monterey County. On March 14, two juveniles reported sexual abuse by Eleuterio Ortiz, 38, of Gonzales. Following the report, Greenfield detectives, with the support of...

SOLEDAD — Soledad Fire Department firefighters, along with crews from Greenfield Fire Department and CTF Fire, responded to a residential structure fire in the area of Metz Road and East Street in Soledad on March 7 at about 3:30 p.m. All occupants were safely...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County District Attorney’s Office is alerting Monterey County residents and visitors that an increase in scams have affected renters and properties for rent. The scams vary in sophistication but share the same core fraud: the suspect will pose as the property...

SALINAS VALLEY — Four residents were killed and seven others injured following a shooting Sunday night outside a home on Second Street in King City, and now a $20,000 reward is being offered to help capture the suspects involved. The four killed have been identified...

GREENFIELD — Monterey County Judge Rafael Vazquez sentenced Greenfield resident Juan Pablo Aragon-Herrera, 38, to a total term of 17 years in state prison on Feb. 27. On Nov. 17, 2023, a Monterey County jury convicted Aragon-Herrera of committing lewd and lascivious acts upon a...