Anonymous Tip Leads to a Recovered Weapon

PRUNEDALE—Deputies from the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department arrested 42-year-old Seaside resident Paul Anthony Nieto after he was acting irrationally and found to be carrying a concealed weapon.

Deputies were contacted here before attempting to help the man they ended up chasing.

Last Friday evening, at 9:06 p.m., two Monterey County Sheriff’s Sergeants, who were parked at the Prunedale Valero Gas Station just off Highway 101, were confronted by an anonymous female, who told them that a man may need their assistance.

The two sergeants drove to where the female said the man was; once there they found a black 2004 Chevy Silverado pickup struck in a ditch and a man, later identified as Paul Anthony Nieto, standing in the roadway talking on a cell phone.

Nieto ignored the sergeant’s lawful order to step out of lane of traffic and danger.  When he did comply with the lawful order, he noticed the two deputies and quickly turned and ran.

The two sergeants pursued him on foot as he ran across San Miguel Canyon Road and tried to hide behind a retaining wall.  The deputies, by gunpoint, once again ordered Nieto to stop running but he ignored the deputies.

“At one point during the pursuit he through his keys and cell phone at the deputies.” Sergeant Brian Irons of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office stated, “ They did not hit them, in fact, they fell considerably short from where we were at the time of the foot pursuit.”

Nieto continued to attempt to run but each time he did he fell after taking a few steps.  When he fell for the final time one deputy noticed a handgun and a holster fly out from Nieto’s person.

When Nieto was finally taken in custody he was still attempting to break free from the deputies grasp, as he would not allow himself to be handcuffed.  A search of Nieto’s person revealed a methamphetamine smoking pipe with white residue on it.  A search of the vehicle revealed some methamphetamine, a scale with white powder, packaging material, and additional cell phone, a computer, and human ashes.

Nieto’s is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.  The gun that he was carrying was loaded with additional rounds in the magazine.

Read More:

The Californian- Foot Chase Leads to Felon’s Arrest in Prunedale