Photo: scene from the arrest
Originally published as a Salinas Police Department Facebook post –
“Today at 9:45 AM, officers investigated an attempted robbery incident in the area of Iverson St. at Geil St. The investigation revealed Gerardo Simon Sanchez (54) approached three students on their way to nearby Washington Middle School.
Gerardo Simon Sanchez (54) approached three students on Geil Street near Salinas High School. Sanchez grabbed one of the boy’s bicycles, pulled what appeared to be a firearm from his waistband, and told the student to get off his bike. The student pushed passed Sanchez and all three fled from him.
A witness saw what happened and called 911 reporting a homeless man with a gun brandishing it at children near Salinas High School. Officers arrived and were able to locate a suspect matching the description on Giel St. as he approached Washington Middle School which was placed on lockdown for a short time as a precaution.
When officers contacted Sanchez, he pulled out an object from his waistband and stuffed it in a large bag of potato chips he was carrying. The reported firearm turned out to be a bicycle handlebar gooseneck cut to the size of a handgun.
Sanchez was identified as the suspect and was arrested and later transported to county jail facing attempted robbery charges.”
