Two cited, one arrested on multiple charges, including violation of COVID-19 order
PHOTO: Salinas Police Department
Two were cited and one arrested on multiple charges, including violation of current the statewide shelter-in-place protocol, after counterfeit bills, meth, and more were reportedly found in their vehicle during a traffic stop, according to a department press release.
It began when Salinas police were sent to the 100 block of Sun Street to investigate a suspicious vehicle, described as a silver Nissan Maxima; the reporting party was concerned that the occupants may be casing a business for potential robbery.
The individuals had left the scene prior to officers’ arrival but were quickly located and pulled over near E. Market Street and Sherwood Drive.
The driver, identified as 49-year-old Gregory Smith, turned out to be on Post-Release Community Supervision along with having a felony warrant on suspicion of drug sales.
The front passenger, 39-year-old Michael Davis, was also on Post-Release Community Supervision.
50-year-old Maria Jones, who’d been riding in the back, was found to be in possession of a firearm.
Officers searched the vehicle and turned up seventeen counterfeit $100 bills under the driver’s seat floorboard, as well as a backpack containing a loaded .38 special Smith & Wesson revolver, meth, and marijuana. $537 found on Smith’s person was also seized.
Jones was cited and released for possession of a firearm, and Smith was booked at the county jail on his warrant, suspicion of possession of meth for sales, possession of counterfeit currency, and violation of his PRCS.
All three, including Davis who was also released at the scene, were cited for violation of the state’s shelter-in-place protocol.
