Additional projectile attack Saturday totals dozen over weekend

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) A report of another projectile attack makes a dozen along Highway 101 and 156 just over the weekend.

The California Highway Patrol tells KION another report of an attack came from a driver who called them on Sunday saying he was also hit by a projectile on Saturday.

There has now been at least 62 reported cases of projectiles hitting cars in the Prunedale area and toward Hollister, with two incidents last Thursday, four on Friday and now six attacks reported from Saturday.

"You know, you never know. Your car can get hit and something more dangerous can happen after that," said Oscar Alejos, a Salinas resident.

CHP says they are taking every investigative step to catch the attacker or attackers. The Monterey County Sheriff's Office is also pitching in to help.

"We permanently assigned a detective to work with them," said John Thornburg, a chief deputy at MCSO. "That means working hand in hand collaboratively to look at the case and see what we can do."

Having a set of fresh eyes and different law enforcement backgrounds could be beneficial in investigations that are drawn out. Different detectives could see different things in the data they have collected so far.

"Some of these cases, that slightly different could be very big difference, be a huge help," said Thornburg. "So that's really what we're just trying to do."

"It's messed up, it's really bad. They shouldn't be throwing projectiles into the freeway or highway. It's dangerous," said Alejos.

So far, investigators are being tight-lipped on whether they are inching closer to an arrest. They are also not saying if federal officers have been brought in to help or how much it is costing taxpayers to devote resources for this.

There were speed radars deployed on Highway 101 on Monday, but KION could not confirm if they also read license plate similar to the ones the Salinas Police Department is planning to deploy as well.

CHP says if you do get hit by a projectile, pull over safely as soon as you can and call 911. The reward now stands at $14,500 for anyone that has information leading to an arrest.