Salinas Police arrest man for attempted murder after teen prank

UPDATE: 11/6/2017 11 a.m. The man who allegedly struck teens with his car after being pranked near a Salinas gas station has been arrested

According to Salinas Police, an anonymous tip led them to arrest 22-year-old Miguel Mota of Salinas. On the night of November 4, two teens riding their bikes thought it would be funny to throw water from a Gatorade bottle at a man pumping gas at the AM/PM near Griffin and Alisal Street. Police said Mota became upset, chased the two teens down and struck them with a silver Nissan Altima.

Mota’s car hit them and pinned them against a fence, as he revved his engine. He fled and left the two teens with serious injuries.

Sunday night, someone called police to tell them Mota was the guy they were looking for. Police said Mota had shaved his beard and hid his car in a friends garage.

Officers arrested Mota and towed his car as evidence. Mota admitted his involvement in the case and was booked into Monterey County Jail for two counts of attempted murder.

The two 15-year-olds struck by Mota’s car have been released from the hospital.

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Officers said two teenagers riding their bikes thought it would be funny to throw water balloons at a man pumping gas near Griffin and Alisal streets about 7 p.m. Saturday.

The man became upset and chased the teens in his car, police said.

The teens were riding their bikes eastbound on Rianda Street when the car, a silver Nissan Altima, hit them.

Officers said the driver pinned them against a fence as the driver revved the engine.

The driver fled, leaving the teenagers with serious injuries, police said.

Salinas police are asking anyone who recognizes the man or the car to call (831) 758-7321.