Salinas man arrested in connection to attempted murder, police chase

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) A Salinas man is behind bars after he was arrested in connection to an attempted murder and police chase.

The incident started early Saturday morning when police got several calls and a Shot Spotter notification about shots fired in the 1100 block of Cortez Street. As officers got closer to the scene, they got more information from dispatch describing the suspect vehicle as a black Lexus or something similar with a temporary license plate.

Officers said they saw a vehicle matching the description near Mae and Del Monte Avenue. Police said they tried to stop the Lexus, but it led them on a chase that got up to 70 miles per hour before it was unable to do a turn and stopped near Williams Road and East Market Street.

Police said they arrested the driver, 30-year-old Luis Valdez. In the vehicle, police said they found a 9mm handgun and ammunition. They believe he fired it at the victim of the shooting, who was standing outside his home in the 1100 block of Cortez Street. A nearby home was hit by bullets twice, but nobody was injured.

Officers said witnesses gave information that helped them identify Valdez and his vehicle. He was taken to the Monterey County Jail and charged with attempted murder, evading police, weapon charges and parole violation.