Salinas Gang Suspect Was Sitting Across From Off-Duty Police Officers
SALINAS – Last Sunday, at about 11 in the morning, an off-duty Salinas Police Officer was having breakfast at First Awakenings Restaurant on Main Street in Old Town Salinas. When he was preparing to settle the bill at the front he noticed 23-year-old Alberto Ramirez, a wanted gang member, and his girlfriend, 19-year-old Marina Rodriguez, sitting in a booth having breakfast.
The officer had recognized Ramirez from previous contact. The officer also noticed the familiar look of a gun stuffed in his pants pocket. The off-duty police officer went to the back of the restaurant and called dispatch and informed them of the observation.
Alberto Ramirez booking photo
Other officers from the Salinas Police Department devised an entry plan to make contact with the pair. However, when Ramirez saw the police approach he reached for his gun. Fortunately for the other patrons in the restaurant, officers were close enough to Ramirez to take him down and keep him from pulling his firearm.
Ramirez was taken into custody and the loaded gun was recovered. In a search of Ramirez’s person, officers found a quantity of narcotics and cash that was consistent of selling a controlled substance.
Ramirez was lodged into Monterey County Jail on several gun charges as well as gang and narcotics violations and one count of violating his probation.
It is no surprise that Ramirez was recognized by a law enforcement officer, as he has been in trouble many times since he turned 18 in 2010, and even before that. In January 2011 he was arrested for disorderly conduct – public intoxication, and a modification of his juvenile probation. In April of 2012 he was arrested for vehicle theft, giving false information to an officer, and violating probation. In June of 2013 he was charged with contempt of court – violating a protective order, and another probation violation. In December of that year he was caught for driving under the influence, having an open container of alcohol, and marijuana.
In June of 2014 he was arrested again for driving under the influence, without a license, possessing concentrated cannabis, and endangering a child. He was charged with another probation violation in December, and then in July of this year for once again driving under the influence, without a license, and child endangerment.
