Salinas man arrested on suspicion of murder, wife arrested as accessory to murder
Photo: Andre Juan Lopez (L) and Jenna Marie Salas (R) | Monterey County Sheriff’s Office
A husband and wife in Monterey County have been arrested on suspicion of murder and accessory to murder, respectively, following an extensive investigation by the Sheriff’s Office.
26-year-old Andre Juan Lopez and 23-year-old Jenna Marie Salas, both of Salinas, are suspected in connection to the murder of 36-year-old John Leslie Jones.
Jones, a resident of Seaside, was found dead on the evening of Monday, January 25, at a residence on the 13800 block of Vista Del Lago in Castroville.
Not long after the discovery of Jones’ body, Lopez emerged as a primary suspect, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Within just a few days, investigators had tracked Lopez to a relative’s home in Winton and begun surveilling him. At some point, they observed as Lopez and Salas headed with their three children to a Target in Atwater.
Lopez and Salas were later taken into custody without incident as they left the store. Their three children were placed with child protective services in Merced County.
Investigators also served a search warrant at the home Lopez had been staying at, reportedly discovering illegal and stolen firearms.
Following an interview, Lopez was booked at the Monterey County Jail on suspicion of murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and committing a felony while out on bail.
Likewise, Salas was booked as an accessory to murder and for violation of probation, with bail set at $10,000.
