SALINAS, Calif. - In under an hour, two people were stabbed and three people were robbed Wednesday night in the same general area, said police.
The first robbery happened around 9:22 p.m. near the intersection of Kings Street and E. Alisal St. The 27-year-old victim was walking in the area when he was approached by three suspects who hit him and stole his wallet, police said.
At 10:03 p.m. near the intersection of Rincon Street and East Street an 18-year-old victim and his girlfriend were driving. Three suspects jumped out of a car and dragged the 18-year-old out of his car and beat and stabbed him, said police. The suspects also stole the 18-year-old's wallet and beat his girlfriend.
The third robbery happened at 10:09 p.m. on the 1000 block of McGowin Drive. The 28-year-old victim was warming up his car when he was attacked and robbed by three suspects, said police. The 28-year-old was also stabbed and had to be flown to a Bay Area hospital.
Police don't know why they targeted and hurt innocent people. That's why neighbors say they're too nervous to go on camera. They fear if the criminals see them, they'll be the next victim
"This is obviously random, there's nothing that can be done about it," says one neighbor. "It's just a story of human survival down here that's at its worst."
"I carry a gun," says another neighbor. "I'm protected. You just got to face there's a lot of danger"
At 10:37 p.m. a Monterey County Joint Gang Task Force officer found a car on Sepulveda Drive that matched the description of the car that was used in all three robberies. Police arrested all three people inside of the car.
Daniel Pimentel, 21 years old, Johnny Davis, 20 years old, and Edgar Ayala, 21 years old, were all arrested on a variety of charges to include attempted murder, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, and conspiracy.
The Salinas Police Department is seeking additional witnesses or victims of similar attacks or robberies on February 8, who have not yet reported the crime to police.
Anyone with information related to these crimes is encouraged to contact the Salinas Police Department Investigations Division at (831) 758-7226. If you would like to remain anonymous, you can call the Salinas Police Department Anonymous Tip Line at 831-775-4222, or the We-Tip Line at 1-800-78-CRIME, or text information to the Text Tip Line with the code "SPD831" to "847411".
