Salinas Man Takes Child Along for the Ride
3-year-old Child Found in Backseat
SALINAS—A Salinas Police Officer arrested 37-year-old Salinas resident Julian Lopez after he was seen driving erratically in a North Salinas neighborhood.
Julian Lopez, 37
An officer with the Salinas Police Department, who was on patrol in North Salinas area, spotted a car “driving erratically” near the intersection of Alvin Drive and Linwood.
When they attempted to pull over the Toyota Corolla the driver of the Toyota refused to yield, leading officers on a slow speed pursuit through the streets of North Salinas.
The car finally stopped at Arcadia Way and Pescadero Drive. The driver later identified as Lopez exited the vehicle and came towards an officer. The intoxicated Lopez was not able to comprehend the officer’s commands. He was eventually tazed and taken in custody.
As officers approached the vehicle Lopez got out of his vehicle and did not respond to the officer’s commands. Salinas Police Officer Miguel Cabrera said, “We believe that the officer showed great restraint before using his Taser, there was no telling what Lopez was capable of doing.”
At the time of the arrest, Lopez blood alcohol content was three times the legal limit, at 0.24%. Lopez’s 29-year-old passenger was cited for having an open container in the vehicle and released.
Police also discovered that he was not only endangering the general public but also endangering a 3-year-old child in the backseat of his vehicle. The child, who was not injured, was released into his mother’s custody.
“Lopez was driving around “intoxicated” with his son in the back seat of the vehicle,” Officer Cabrera added.
Lopez was booked into the Monterey County Jail on charges of child endangerment, driving under the influence, evading police, and a felony violation of parole. His bail amount has been set at $26,100.
The Salinas Police Department is still investigating this incident and is asking anyone with information to call the department at 831-758-7090.
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