Three arrested for various charges including robbery
Three Salinas residents are behind bars for their involvement in a series of crimes, stemming from February.
On February 26th, the Monterey Police Department responded to a strong armed robbery that occurred at Macy’s in the Del Monte Shopping Center in Monterey. The suspect in that case tried to steal merchandise from the store and was involved in a physical altercation with store loss prevention employees before escaping. Witnesses saw the suspect fleeing in a BMW SUV which had been previously reported stolen out of Monterey. Upon reviewing video surveillance from the store, officers identified the suspect as 51-year-old Christopher Watts.
On March 14th, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office investigated a prowling incident that took place on Ranchito Del Rio Drive in Salinas. The suspect in that case was seen on video entering a resident’s property and trying to gain entry into the home at about midnight the night before. Upon review of video surveillance from the incident, Monterey Police Officers identified the suspect as Watts.
On Thursday March 22nd, PRVNT, with assistance from the Salinas Police Department SWAT Team and the Monterey Police Department, served a search warrant at two locations on Plaza Circle in Salinas in relation to these incidents.
As a result of the warrant, PRVNT recovered a vehicle which had been reported stolen out of Pebble Beach three days ago, five shotguns which are believed to be stolen, drug paraphernalia, and a license plate stolen out of Salinas.
The following subjects were arrested:
— Christopher Watts, 51 of Salinas, for robbery, conspiracy, attempted burglary, possession of stolen property, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. His bail was set $87,500.
— Rickey Dinola, 35 of Salinas, for conspiracy, possession of stolen property, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Dinola additionally had a no bail warrant for his arrest for a Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) violation. He was held without bail.
— Ha Tran, 51 of Salinas, for conspiracy, attempted burglary, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Her bail was set at $80,000.
PRVNT is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the owner of the five firearms recovered and pictured. If you have additional information, please contact the Peninsula Regional Violence and Narcotics Team (PRVNT) at (831) 646-6926 or if you wish to remain anonymous, contact the Tip-Line at (831) 646-3840.
