On February 26, 2018 the Monterey Police Department investigated a strong armed robbery that occurred at Macy’s in the Del Monte Shopping Center at 1410 Munras Avenue in Monterey. The suspect in that case attempted to steal merchandise from the store and was involved in a physical altercation with store loss prevention employees before escaping. Witnesses observed the suspect fleeing in a BMW SUV which had been previously reported stolen out of Monterey on February 16, 2018. Upon reviewing video surveillance from the store, officers identified the suspect as Christopher Watts, 51 of Salinas.

On March 7, 2018 at approximately 7:43 pm, Monterey Police Officers responded to a report of a battery in the 300 block of Alvarado Street. A male allegedly punched the victim in the head and knocked the victim to the ground. The suspect left the scene prior to police arrival. The victim was transported to CHOMP for serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

On November 29, 2017 at 1:27am, two unidentified males committed an armed robbery of the Motel 6 located at 140 Kern St, Salinas. At 5:27am, a second robbery was committed at the 7-11 located at 320 Reservation Rd, Marina. At 6:52am, a third robbery was committed at the 76 gas station, 1600 Fremont Blvd, Seaside.

On 12-09-17, an officer with the Seaside Police Department observed a white Ford F-150 frequently driven by 21 year old Salvatore Ciolino driving near Ciolino’s residence on Mira Monte Ave in Seaside. The vehicle was hauling a dirt-bike style motorcycle in the bed. The officer initiated a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation but the driver accelerated and failed to yield. During the pursuit, the vehicle reached speeds of up to 89 MPH, ran red lights and stop signs, and drove into opposing lanes of traffic. Due to the dangerous conditions, officers terminated their pursuit of the vehicle.

On January 7, 2017, the Monterey Police Department (MPD) assigned two officers to traffic positions as part of the Patrol Division. The mission of the traffic officers is to reduce dangerous driving through enforcement of traffic laws. Traffic officers had not been assigned for many years due to staffing limitations. The MPD consistently fields complaints regarding violations of traffic laws and reckless driving and the community requested that the MPD add officers that are specifically devoted to traffic enforcement.