Teamwork Helps Catch Shooter

Carlos Quezada

SALINAS—The Salinas Police used a coordinated effort with a multi-jurisdictional task force in San Benito to help get a suspected shooter off the streets of Salinas.  They arrested 32-year-old Hollister resident Carlos Quezada at his home on numerous charges.

On January 13, at 3:15, it was reported that witnesses saw a person in a red Suzuki Areio fire two rounds from a shotgun while the car drove through the parking lot of Northridge Mall in Salinas.

“It appears that he was not aiming at anyone in particular, it looked like he was firing it in the air,” Salinas Police spokesperson Officer Miguel Cabrera said. “It seems that they made contact with people at the mall that made them upset and they wanted to intimidate them.”

As police responded to the scene, they spotted the car, which was leaving the parking lot onto North Main Street.   The driver, who was later identified as Michael Rivas, 25, from Hollister, led police on a high-speed pursuit down Boronda Road.

Second Suspect Michael Rivas

“The vehicle was going the wrong way down Boronda Road at a high-rate of speed. Officer Cabrera added, “Because of the time of day and the risk to the public our officers decided to end the pursuit.”

Within hours, police had positively identified Quezada as the shooter.  Officers assigned to the Violence Suppression Unit began to work with the task force from San Benito in an attempt to capture Quezada.

On January 15, Quezada was seen leaving his house on Rancho Drive in Hollister by an undercover surveillance team.  He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Monterey County Jail and booked on numerous felony firearm and gang-related charges.

Quezada is well known to Hollister Authorities as having gang ties in their area.  He was arrested in October for resisting arrest and two-counts of battery on a Hollister Police Officer.

Suzuki Areio

As for the driver of the vehicle, Rivas, he is described as a Hispanic male 5-feet-6 inches tall, 160 pounds and is considered armed and dangerous.  He might still be driving the 2003 Suzuki Areio, which is described as a red compact 4-door hatchback with a license plate of 5UKB755.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Salinas Police Department at 1-831-758-7321 or the Watch Commander at 1-831-758-7250.  If you wish to remain anonymous you can call their tip line at 1-831-775-4222.

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