Family of Salinas hit and run victim apprehends suspect

Salinas residents took matters into their own hands when they stopped a suspect accused of killing their loved one.

After the deadly hit and run crash Sunday on North Madeira Avenue and East Market Street, family members tell us they weren’t going to stop until they found the driver of the car.

Yesenia Romero, 24, died in the incident.

Romero’s cousin, Carmen Perez, mobilized her family and the hunt was on for Anthony Bouchereau: Romero’s boyfriend and lead suspect in the case.

“We ended up figuring out that he was using her phone, the calls were coming from her phone,” Perez said.

“The driver of the vehicle was in contact with the family expressing condolences and sorrow for what he had done,” said Vincent Maiorana, Salinas police investigations commander.

Maiorana said the family downplayed the meet-up with Bouchereau, saying they only wanted to meet to get Romero’s cell phone back. The suspect agreed and the family confronted him at the Pilot truck stop in Salinas Tuesday.

“I said no, you’re not going to leave,” Perez said. We got you, I got you, you’re done, you’re going to go to prison.”

Perez said before that meet-up, she got no answer from detectives and dispatch told her they would send someone. After waiting for 20 to 30 minutes, she said she couldn’t wait any longer and took action.

“We can sleep a little bit better and know justice will prevail,” Perez said.

When News Channel 5 asked Maiorana, he said Perez hadn’t informed them of the citizen sting operation.

“It’s not recommended that families take these things into their own hands because sometimes they can turn very negative.” Maiorana said.

Nonetheless, this time, things went smoothly and Bouchereau went quietly with police.

“I’m the type of person that wants justice not just because she’s my cousin but for anybody in our community,” Perez said.

A funeral is planned for Monday and the family said they are asking for donations.