Two of the three suspects from Salinas accused of robbing two
Hollister stores on San Juan Road in April
– and leading police on a county-crossing chase through Salinas
before ending in a crash that killed a fourth assailant – are set
to be arraigned on Jan. 21 with a date set for trial, a judge ruled
last week.
Two of the three suspects from Salinas accused of robbing two Hollister stores on San Juan Road in April – and leading police on a county-crossing chase through Salinas before ending in a crash that killed a fourth assailant – are set to be arraigned on Jan. 21 with a date set for trial, a judge ruled last week.
Roberto Silva, 19, and Omar Medrano, 18, are being held for trial on all charges – which include accusations of homicide while committing a felony and three counts of robbery and participating in a street gang, District Attorney Candice Hooper said.
The third suspect, Angel Iniguez, 17, was transferred to Monterey Juvenile Court on Nov. 30 after it was determined he would be charged as a minor. Iniguez faced the same charges in San Benito County, but the results of juvenile court are unknown. Prosecutors previously charged him as an adult.
The juvenile court will not communicate with the San Benito County courts on results from Iniguez’s disposition because he is a minor, Hooper said. Monterey County Juvenile court takes jurisdiction over San Benito’s juvenile court matters because such proceedings’ location are based on the suspect’s residence.
Hooper couldn’t comment on Iniguez’s case, she said.
The other two suspects will face charges, stemming from the suspected incident April 17, in San Benito County court.
Judge Steven Sanders agreed at a hearing Dec. 29 there was enough evidence in the case to move toward a trial date, Hooper said.
During the pre-trial setting, the judge heard testimony from eight police officers from the area, including the Salinas Police Department, Hollister Police Department and the county sheriff’s office. Robert Zuniga from the Salinas Police Department testified as a gang expert, highlighting the suspects’ believed involvement with a street gang.
The suspects are accused of robbing at gunpoint nearly $1,000 from Mi Ranchito Market and an undisclosed amount from 156 Plaza Gas Station before fleeing toward Salinas on Highway 156.
The suspects were flashing gang signs at officers during the chase that exceeding more than 100 mph, police alleged.
The chase ended in downtown Salinas where the driver of the black Honda lost control of the vehicle and slammed it into a building, parked vehicle and a street sign. The fourth suspect, Jesus Hernandez, was ejected out of the backseat of the vehicle and died on impact with the building, according to the police report.
