Raul Tapia booking photo
SALINAS — Both the Salinas Police and Parole Department have assisted the California Highway Patrol in a traffic stop on East Romie Lane which ended in the arrest of 38-year-old Raul Gonzalo Tapia of Salinas.
Last Friday afternoon, during the traffic stop in question, officers began a search of the vehicle after a CHP canine unit alerted them to the possibility of suspicious contents. An unloaded Glock semi-automatic pistol was discovered, as well as 16 grams of methamphetamine and a small amount of cocaine. A magazine for the pistol was also discovered in Tapia’s pants pocket.
Because Tapia was out on bail at the time, he was also subject to a search of his residence. There, authorities discovered a stolen ballistic vest from the California Department of Corrections, and more methamphetamine.
Police also discovered the dismembered remains of a hawk in Tapia’s freezer. The bird’s head had been removed from its body and wrapped in a towel along with talons and wings. The California Department of Fish and Games was contacted and determined that possession of a hawk in such condition was a misdemeanor.
Tapia is now back in jail in Monterey County and faces a variety of charges ranging from gun, narcotic, and stolen property possession, as well as the remains of the hawk. His last arrest in June came after the discovery of 3 firearms and 1/2 pound of methamphetamine in his possession.
