Salinas Police investigate armed robberies

Jose Solis and his wife were heading out to dance at Mariano’s Club on East Market Street Saturday night when he was robbed at gunpoint in the nightclub’s parking lot. The robber took a lot.

“Possibly $900, my driver license and my immigration papers,” said Solis. “Everything, everything.”

That same night, a few blocks down the street, Mariscos Costa Azul Restaurant was also robbed.

“I see a guy with a mask come in and I looked at him, he looked at me, his eyes got big,” said Ruiz Salazar, staff at the restaurant. “He drew a gun at me and then he started jogging over here and he said get down.”

Salinas Police said the suspects, two Hispanic men, also held five customers at gun point. They stole an undisclosed amount from the register and left through the back door.

“I was thinking they would hit me or kill me,” said Maria Cruz Lopez, who also works at the restaurant.

Two more armed robberies took place on Saturday: At the Uprising Smoke Shop on North Main Street, and two men who were robbed at gunpoint on San Benito Street. The victims say they turned over their wallets after a suspect put a black handgun to the back of one of their heads.

“We’re following up on some pretty good leads on at least two of them, said Salinas Police Commander Sheldon Bryan. “We’re hoping to get input from anyone who might have seen anything or might have information.”

Salinas police said they see an increase in robberies, residential and vehicle burglaries during the holiday season, which presents opportunities and motivation to steal.

“Be aware of what’s going on around you,” said Bryan.

Police also recommend not leaving Christmas presents visible in your car after you go shopping.

“At the bare minimum lock them up in your trunk,” said Bryan. “It’s not fool proof but at least it’s something.”

Anyone with information about these robberies is encouraged to call the Salinas Police Department at (831) 758-7321 . If you would like to remain anonymous, you can call the Salinas Police Department Tip Line at (831) 775-4222 , or the We-Tip Line at 1-800-78 CRIME, or text information to the Text to the Text Tip Line with the code “SPD831” to “847411”.