Salinas Police arrest suspect connected to homicide on North Main Street

SALINAS, CALIF. (KION-TV)- 58-year-old Saul Guadalupe Santos was the victim shot and killed this past Sunday morning on North Main Street street in Salinas.

Salinas police said that Santos was the victim of a robbery.

"Mr. Santos was by his vehicle, he was involved in a struggle with the suspect," said Acting Salinas Police Chief, John Murray. "Mr. Santos fought back, unfortunately the suspect, Lopez--he was a coward--he drew a weapon and shot Mr. Santos."

According to officials, 23-year-old Ismael Zendejas Lopez was arrested on August 15 without incident. On Sunday, August 11 around 7:10 a.m., officers responded to a report of a man down in the roadway on the 2200 block of North Main St.

When they arrived to the scene, they found 58-year-old Saul Guadalupe Santos suffering from multiple gun shot wounds. He was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

On Thursday, Salinas Police Detectives, Patrol Officers and members of the US Marshals Service Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Taskforce, found Zendejas Lopez in the area of Front St. and W. Alisal St. That's where they made the arrest.

Salinas Police said they're still looking for people to come forward with any information that they have about the investigation.

"Even after we've made an arrest in a case like this, we're continuing to do work in background, we're continuing to look for additional witnesses," said Acting Police Chief, Murray.

Murray said Santos was an innocent man. "Mr. Santos was completely innocent, he was truly a victim in this sad murder," said Murray.

The widow of Santos said even though police arrested the suspect, she wants more justice for her husband.

"[I want more] justice for my husband because I don't want another family to go through what my family is going through," said the Widow.

During the investigation, it was learned that Santos was near his parked vehicle when Lopez approached, shot him multiple times and fled in Santos's vehicle. The victim’s vehicle was later recovered on California Street.

Zendejas Lopez was booked into the Monterey County Jail. Officials say that while Zendejas Lopez is in custody and there are no additional suspects outstanding, this is still an active investigation.