Victim was Stabbed To Death in Early December
SALINAS—The Investigation Unit of the Salinas Department has made an arrest in the month long murder investigation in the death of 53-year-old Bobby Dick Jr. of Morro Bay. On Thursday, January 9th authorities arrested 31-year-old Salinas resident Hector Luis Martinez Jr. for the murder.
On December 5, Salinas Police responded to the Laurel Inn Motel located on 801 West Laurel Drive in Salinas on a report of a deceased male found in his hotel room. A hotel employee had found the door to Mr. Dick’s room ajar, and when she pushed it open she found Mr. Dick’s lifeless body inside.
Bobby Dick Jr. was found dead in his room at the Laurel Inn.
The cause of death was listed as suspicious until an autopsy was performed by the Monterey County’s Coroner’s Office. Three day later, the Coroner released the find on the cause of death. It appeared that Mr. Dick died of multiple stab wounds.
The victim frequented the Laurel Inn Hotel for the last several years when he would do work in the area; he was a traveling mechanic. Investigators with the Salinas Police Department began investigating this crime and had very little information. But after an exhaustive investigation, they identified Martinez as their prime suspect in this case. Martinez was arrested at the Monterey County Court following his appearance on an unrelated matter. Authorities were able to arrest him without incident.
“As of right now there was no relationship between Mr. Dick and Martinez.” Salinas Police Commander Vince Maiorana said, “But this case is still being investigated.”
Martinez is currently in the Monterey County Jail on the charge of murder. His bail has been set at three million dollars. The Salinas Police Department is still actively investigating this incident and will not be releasing any more information related to the ongoing investigation.
UPDATE: Monterey County District Attorney Dean Flippo announced on June 5, 2015 that Hector Martinez was convicted of first degree murder. The trial lasted four weeks in front of a jury and Judge Carrie Panetta. Martinez is facing a 25 years to life sentence when he returns to court on July 27. Blood found on his clothing when arrested for the car theft linked him to the victim’s DNA.
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KION 46: Salinas Police Arrest Suspect in Laurel Inn Murder, Suspect Arrested at Court
