Salinas man pleads not guilty to attempted kidnapping charges, DA’s office
SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV)- UPDATE ON APRIL 25, 2024 AT 3:19 PM- The Monterey County District Attorney's Office said a 31-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges including attempted kidnapping.
Sonny Velasco made his first appearance in a Salinas courtroom on Tuesday. Berkley Brannon who is the Chief Assistant District Attorney for the Monterey County District Attorney's Office confirmed to KION that Velasco plead not guilty to attempted kidnapping, child cruelty, first degree burglary and lewd act with a child under 14 years old.
The DA's Office said that Velasco will still remain in custody at the Monterey County Jail
Velasco is accused of trying to kidnap a 7-year-old girl on the 600 block of Kirkwood Avenue on Saturday night. Salinas Police said Velasco grabbed the girl by the wrist and exposed himself.
The girl was able to run away from the man and told her family what happened.
Velasco will be in court on May 27 for setting of a preliminary hearing.
31-year-old man arrested after allegedly trying to kidnap a 7-year-old girl in Salinas, police say
Salinas Police arrested a 31-year-old man after he allegedly tried to kidnap a 7-year-old girl on Saturday night.
Investigators said that the incident took place around 9:20 p.m. on the 600 block of Kirkwood Avenue.
According to investigators, the man walked into an unlocked home and grabbed a 7-year-old girl by the wrist.
Police said the man pulled the girl towards him while exposing himself and demanding the girl touch him.
Officers said that the girl was able to run away from the man and told her family about the incident.
Salinas Police were able to locate the suspect nearby and identified him as 31-year-old Sonny Velasco.
Velasco was arrested and booked into the Monterey County Jail on multiple charges including attempted kidnapping and lewd act with a minor.
A Salinas Police Commander told KION that Velasco and the victim did not know each other.
Salinas Police also added that Velasco does have a criminal history.
