Three arrested in connection to Orchard Ave attempted murder

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) Three people have been arrested in connection to an attempted murder on Orchard Avenue last month.

Thursday morning, Salinas police said they served search warrants at homes on Prince Place and a home in the 300 block of Pueblo Drive along with the SWAT team, detectives and the Violence Suppression Task Force.

During the investigation, police said they identified 20-year-old Joshua Garcia, 22-year-old Jesus Lopez and 22-year-old Cynthia Edeza. Investigators said the three are known gang members.

Garcia was in the Monterey County Jail for an unrelated case, and police said he is facing new charges in connection with the Orchard Avenue shooting. Edeza was arrested when investigators served a search warrant at her home Thursday morning, and Lopez was arrested after police conducted surveillance on the 200 block of Winham Street.

Edeza and Lopez were booked into the Monterey County Jail and are facing attempted homicide and conspiracy charges with gang enhancements.

The shooting happened on April 20. Police responded to a report of a shooting in the 100 block of Orchard Avenue and were told a victim was being driven to the hospital in a private vehicle.

Officers contacted the 23-year-old man, who told them he had driven to the area to drop off a friend. When he got out of the vehicle, he said he saw a silver Honda Civic with several men inside driving toward him. It stopped after accelerating toward him, and he said one of the people in the vehicle got out, pulled out a handgun and fired several rounds.

The victim was hit once in the back, and his injury was considered non-life threatening.

Anyone with information is asked to call Salinas police at 831-758-7321.